Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI apologized Tuesday for sexual violence against children by clergy, but denied covering up for priests committing such abuse when he was archbishop in Munich.
In a letter made public by the Vatican, three weeks after the publication of an independent report in Germany accusing Benedict XVI of inaction in the face of abuses committed in the archbishopric of Munich, the pope emeritus assured that he never covered up these aggressions when he had “important responsibilities in the Catholic Church”.
“I can only express to all victims of sexual abuse my deep shame, my great pain and my sincere request for forgiveness,” said the pope emeritus.
“In all my encounters with victims of sexual abuse by priests (…) I have perceived in their eyes the consequences of a great guilt and I have learned to understand that we ourselves fall into this great guilt when we neglect it or when we do not we face it with the necessary decision and responsibility, as has happened and happens too many times”, assured in his letter.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was Archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982, and Pope from 2005 to 2013.
“Greater is my pain for the abuses and errors that have occurred during the time of my mission in the respective places”, adds the pope emeritus, saying to himself “dismayed”.
The report published in Germany on sexual abuse against minors in the archbishopric of Munich and Freising reproached the then Cardinal Ratzinger, who was informed of the attacks committed by a priest, Peter Hullermann.
In a document also made public by the Vatican on Tuesday, advisers to the pope emeritus reject these accusations expressed in the German report, which they have analyzed in detail.
“When he was archbishop, Cardinal Ratzinger was not involved in attempts to cover up abuses,” say these four counselors, estimating that the report contains “inaccurate” information.
In his letter, the pope emeritus also thanks his successor, Francis, for “the trust, support and prayers that he has expressed to me personally.”
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Source: Gestion
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