The Pope's Pastoral Letter

[Mr Veritas]

Just in case you want to be fully informed(and it is a LONG letter) here is a link to it:~
http://www.vatican.va...hurch-ireland_en.html

I have read it through,and here are few points I find deeply worrying (but not surprising):~

6. To the victims of abuse and their families
Speaking to you as a pastor concerned for the good of all God’s children, I humbly ask you to consider what I have said. I pray that, by drawing nearer to Christ and by participating in the life of his Church – a Church purified by penance and renewed in pastoral charity – you will come to rediscover Christ’s infinite love for each one of you. I am confident that in this way you will be able to find reconciliation, deep inner healing and peace.

7. To priests and religious who have abused children
I urge you to examine your conscience, take responsibility for the sins you have committed, and humbly express your sorrow. Sincere repentance opens the door to God’s forgiveness and the grace of true amendment. By offering prayers and penances for those you have wronged, you should seek to atone personally for your actions. Christ’s redeeming sacrifice has the power to forgive even the gravest of sins, and to bring forth good from even the most terrible evil. At the same time, God’s justice summons us to give an account of our actions and to conceal nothing. Openly acknowledge your guilt, submit yourselves to the demands of justice, but do not despair of God’s mercy.

[ChuckFickens]

"Sincere repentance opens the door to God’s forgiveness" should continue

Yet us mere mortals would still rip your knackers off!

[naomi24]

Mr V, why don't you post this in Religion & Spirituality? You'll probably get more readers and more opinions there.

[Mr Veritas]

Thanks naomi,
I have re~posted it in R&P as you suggested.

[naomi24]

OK Mr V. I'll leave reading it until tomorrow if you don't mind. I don't think I have the brain for such a long letter right now. :o)

[andy-hughes]

It is symptomatic if the out-of-touch relationship that the Catholic Church enjoys with the real world that allows its Head to think that writing a letter will make victims and abusers feel better, and that asking for forgiveness and love will make everything all right. It is fantasy, but then again, he is a Christian so ...