By Jillian Farrel -- March 15, 2010
On Monday, the Archdiocese in Munich confessed a priest convicted of
sexually abusing children during the Pope Benedict XVI's tenure, has
been suspended from pastoral responsibilities, due to breaking a
contract prohibiting his contact with minors.
The pope is
expected to release a pastoral letter soon to the Irish people. Irish
church leaders expect the letter to be released next month throughout
Ireland.
News released on Friday, which declared that the Pope, who was an archbishop 30 years ago, approved providing a priest accused of sexual abuse church accommodations in his diocese so the priest could receive therapy. Reports from the German diocese of Munich and Freising said Friday the pope was involved in the decision.
Freidburg Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, president of a conference of German bishops, held a meeting with the pope because of the growing scandal involving sexual-abuse cases in Catholic Churches in Germany. Zollitsch said, "it's a problem that concerns many countries."
Cardinal Sean Brady, Ireland's senior Roman Catholic, helped the church gather evidence against a child-molesting priest, but never admitted the crimes to the police. Reverend Brendan Smyth is the accused priest. Brady interviewed two children concerning the abuse, administered by Smyth.
Smyth raped and molested other children in Ireland, Britain, and the United States. Brady interviewed a 10-year old altar boy and a 14-year old girl. The victims suffered the abuse in 1970.
Brady admitted, "yes, I knew these were crimes. But, I did not feel it was my responsibility to denounce the actions of Brendan Smyth to the police."
The Vatican has defended itself over a growing rate of child-abuse cases in other countries in Europe, especially the Pope's homeland in Germany. In January, 300 Germans have admitted they were raped, assaulted, or abused by priests in Catholic boarding schools.
