Year for Priests is 'providential' answer to scandal, says Cardinal Bertone

June 10, 2010

Speaking to priests who were gathered in Rome for the concluding days of the Year for Priests, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said that the sex-abuse scandal pointed to the need for a "new season of spiritual renewal and rebirth" in the Catholic clergy. The special Year for Priests, said the Vatican Secretary of State, was the result of a "providential realization" by Pope Benedict of this need.

Over 10,000 priests have assembled in Rome, in answer to the Pope's invitation, to join in the final closing ceremony of the Year for Priests. An AP story on the event carried a misleading headline, suggesting that the priests were rallying in support of the Pope; in fact the events were organized at the Pope's suggestion, to support all Catholic priests.

 

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Further information:

• Vatican No. 2: Sex scandal shows need for renewal (AP)
• Thousands of priests rally in defense of pope (AP)