400 priests laicized in 2 years under Benedict XVI, AP learns
January 17, 2014
Nearly 400 Catholic priests were laicized in a 2-year period during the pontificate of Benedict XVI because of sexual abuse of children, according to a Vatican document obtained by the Associated Press.
The document, covering the years 2011 and 2012, is the first Vatican account of the number of priests disciplined because of sex-abuse charges. Under the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican redoubled efforts to remove abusers from the priesthood.
The Vatican document was prepared for a UN hearing before a UN committee on Vatican implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. AP obtained the document the next day.
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Further information:
- Pope Benedict defrocked nearly 400 priests over two years for molesting children: document (AP)
- UN panel grills Vatican officials on sex-abuse policies (CWN, 1/16)
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Jan. 18, 2014 6:47 PM ET USA
So true,jg237...Pope Benedict is my hero for taking the opportunity to rid the Church of these corrupt men as soon as he took office. I pray that Pope Francis can continue this work.
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Posted by: -
Jan. 17, 2014 9:56 PM ET USA
Not to mention all the errant bishops who resigned weekly under Benedict XVI. Gottseidank!
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Jan. 17, 2014 3:35 PM ET USA
Notice that this is an AP news item, something reporters have just learned about events 2 or 3 years old. It should serve as a caution to those quick to criticize and wonder about the Vatican's response to the homosexual scandals (please include me among the critics). Things WERE being done, and they were being done by Pope Benedict, a good man who has been roughly treated by public opinion.
