Former Pope Benedict Admits Errors In Handling Child Sex Abuse Cases, Asks For Forgiveness
Former catholic Pope, Benedict XVI has admitted to making errors in the handling of child sexual abuse cases when he was the archbishop of Munich. “Soon, I shall find myself before the final judge of my life.”
A report into the Catholic Church alleged that he failed to act over four child sex abuse cases.
Then known as Josef Ratzinger, he was archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982.
A report in January by a German law firm alleged that sexual abuse by priests on minors continued under his tenure, and that the priests accused of carrying out the abuse remained active in church roles and the pope was fully aware of it.
In a letter released by the Vatican on Tuesday, February 8, the former pope asked forgiveness for any “grievous fault” but denied personal wrongdoing.
In his first personal response to the report, the former Pope, aged 94, wrote:
“I have had great responsibilities in the Catholic Church. All the greater is my pain for the abuses and the errors that occurred in those different places during the time of my mandate.”
He described the actions against victims of sexual abuse as a “most grievous fault.
“As in those meetings, once again I can only express to all the victims of sexual abuse my profound shame, my deep sorrow and my heartfelt request for forgiveness.
