During his meeting with Irish bishops, who are confronted with a major scandal involving priests, Benedict XVI linked the affair to the “more general crisis if faith” the Church is facing. Prelates reiterate their readiness to work with civil authorities.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Paedophilia “is not only a heinous crime, but also a grave sin which offends God and wounds the dignity of the human person created in his image,” Pope Benedict XVI said as he addressed a stern warning against priests who sexually abused children and young people. He spoke during a meeting with Irish bishops (pictured) who were in the Vatican to address a scandal caused by the behaviour of a number of priests and religious.

The meeting with the Holy Father gave the prelates an opportunity to reiterate their readiness to work with their country’s civil authorities to deal with the matter.

For Benedict XVI, the matter comes within the broader framework of the “more general crisis of faith” the Church is facing. The issue, in his view, is linked “to the lack of respect for the human person”. Indeed, the “weakening of faith has been a significant contributing factor in [. . .] the sexual abuse of minors.”

The Pontiff went on to say that, the overall issue requires a “deeper theological reflection”. Candidates to the priesthood and religious life need better human, spiritual, academic and pastoral preparation.

In a Letter to Irish Catholics on the occasion of Lent, the Pope expressed hope that the Vatican meeting will help “unify bishops and enable them to speak with one voice.”

This way, he said, they can identify “concrete steps aimed at bringing healing to those who” were “abused” as well as encourage “a renewal of faith in Christ” and restore “the Church’s spiritual and moral credibility.”

• vatican
• ireland
• pope
• bishops
• benedict
• xvi
• pedophilia
• children
• young
• people
• priests
• religious
• lent
• scandal