DUBLIN — Pope Francis on Saturday vowed to adopt “stringent” measures to rid a crisis-convulsed Catholic Church of the “pain and shame” caused by decades of sexual abuse and its tolerance by clerical authorities. Francis traveled to Ireland, once a bastion of Catholic belief, but where religious practice that has been eroded by years of church scandal that has fed a process of secularization similar to preceding variants elsewhere in Europe. He met privately for an hour and a half with eight survivors, the Vatican said, without providing details. Two of the participants in the meeting later said the pontiff equated the scandal and cover-up with excrement.
Tag: catholics
Cables shed light as more Catholics arrested – National Catholic Register
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/vietnamese-catholics-plight/ Leaked U.S. embassy cables reveal power struggle between communist government and the Holy See as more believers are...
Malaysian Islamist Party to support Catholics? – ISN
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Current-Affairs/Security-Watch/Detail/?lng=en&id=100969 A row over the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims highlights the need for Malaysia’s political forces...
Crackdown in Hanoi – National Catholic Register
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/16359/ Simon Roughneen, Register Correspondent November 2-8, 2008 Issue SINGAPORE — Vietnam’s communist authorities have upped the ante in...
IRA considering Northern Ireland peace appeal – ISN
DERRY — The Irish Republican Army (IRA) on Thursday said it was considering Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams’ request to give up its armed struggle and adopt a peaceful, democratic political campaign to end British rule in Northern Ireland. The paramilitary organization said it was giving “due consideration” to Adams’ request, adding that a definitive response would be given “in due course.” The leader of Sinn Féin, the political party linked to the IRA, welcomed the paramilitary group’s pledge to address his appeal, and responded to critics of the speech, saying that it was “a genuine attempt to drive the peace process forward.” While some welcomed Adams’ statement as significant, others said it was a disingenuous campaign ploy.