And now, from tiny Malta, we have an indication how the Pope is going to handle the sex abuse crisis rocking the Catholic Church. The above picture, taken at the meeting with youth on the island, underscores the Pope's continuing appeal to people. The trip was a magnificent success and the Pope, as he often does, rose to his most eloquent when he addressed the youth. Check the homily here. And, then, in an outreach to victims of clergy sex abuse on Malta, the Pope met with eight representatives who were abused. The report on the moving meeting is here.It was out of sight of cameras because the Pope will not politicize the meeting.
Reports said the Pope had tears in his eyes and the representative of the victims said he could now return to Church after 25 years. The Pope is obviously moved and shamed by the reality of this crisis, but he is not going to argue the case on the pages or the airwaves or the net the secular media like to use. This is a pastoral response and the Pope seems to have decided to let his actions, not his words, be the basis on which history will judge the effectiveness of his response.
What an example of humility and compassion. God Bless our Holy Father!
Posted by: Andy Coan | April 18, 2010 at 07:15 PM
Oh if you all could see our Holy Father in Lisbon today amoungst all the faithful Portugese people in a setting straight from heaven. I am not usually a visual person but it was as if the Lord painted the back drop and made the day perfect for this Holy visit. It could rain tomorrow and the beauty and warmth of today will be shinning in the hearts of us all. Fatima tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!Peace
Posted by: Dragonfly | May 11, 2010 at 07:40 PM