Pope directly connected to known paedophile priest who continued to abuse

[cyberianpan]

This is quite serious and could force the Pope's resignation

The summary of the story is

1. As Cardinal Ratzinger he approved therapy for a paedophile priest in Munich in 1980
2. Cardinal Ratzinger didn't report this priest to to the authorities
3. The therapy never happened see here
4. Ratzinger lost interest in the case
5. His deputy then shuffled the priest on again out into active ministry, where he committed more offenses
6. The abuser was only then convicted and got a light sentence
7. At that trial: did the Church Authorities mention his past form ? Seems unlikely given the sentence

Pope knew priest was paedophile but allowed him to continue with ministry -Times Online

The Pope was drawn directly into the Roman Catholic sex abuse scandal for the first time tonight as news emerged of his part in a decision to send a paedophile priest for therapy. The priest went on to reoffend and was convicted of child abuse but continues to work as priest in Upper Bavaria.

The priest was sent from Essen to Munich for “therapy” in 1980 when he was accused of forcing an 11-year-old boy to perform oral sex. The archdiocese confirmed that the Pope, then a cardinal, had approved a decision to accommodate the priest in a rectory while the therapy took place.

The Associated Press: Pope's former diocese admits error over priest

The man, identified only as H., was allowed to stay in a vicarage while undergoing therapy — a decision in which then-Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger was involved, the statement said. It said officials believe it was known the therapy was related to suspected "sexual relations with boys."
However, it says a lower-ranking official — vicar general Gerhard Gruber — then allowed him to help in pastoral work in Munich, a decision for which he takes "full responsibility."
The Vatican press office noted in a brief statement Friday evening that Gruber was assuming "full responsibility" for the transfer of the priest, after therapy, to pastoral duties. Without further comment, the statement included a link to the Munich archdiocese's statement in German.

Despite his power, the Pope could resign over latest sex scandal -Times Online

Yesterday Irish bookmakers’ Paddy Power reduced its odds on Pope Benedict XVI resigning from 12-1 to 3-1. The favourite to succeed him is Nigeria’s Cardinal Francis Arinze at 4-1.

In light of all this pressure... he's in trouble:

http://www.politics.ie/culture-commu...-celibacy.html
http://www.politics.ie/culture-commu...n-inquiry.html
http://www.politics.ie/foreign-affai...opes-home.html

cYp

[Disabled student]

That is getting interesting now. I recalled that he was then a bishop of Munich.

[milipod]

This is quite serious and could force the Pope's resignation:

Pope knew priest was paedophile but allowed him to continue with ministry -Times Online


There's conflicting claims with a junior bishop wanting to take the hit here:
BBC News - Pope Benedict's former diocese rehoused abuser priest

Despite his power, the Pope could resign over latest sex scandal -Times Online


In light of all this pressure... he's in trouble:

http://www.politics.ie/culture-commu...-celibacy.html
http://www.politics.ie/culture-commu...n-inquiry.html
http://www.politics.ie/foreign-affai...opes-home.html

cYp

Are you surprised really

[Toland]

There have been hints at direct links to the pope for a couple of days now here in Germany. This may be why RTÉ were finally forced to report on it.

[Toland]

Are you surprised really

Not in the slightest. I'll be surprised if the allegations stop here, to be honest.

[Disabled student]

Not in the slightest. I'll be surprised if the allegations stop here, to be honest.

are you suggesting that it would spread around ?

I don't think that the present Pope Benedict will resign. To my knowledge, no pope had ever resigned his position to date.

[milipod]

Is it just me or does any one else think these shames are insane

[cyberianpan]

There have been hints at direct links to the pope for a couple of days now here in Germany. This may be why RTÉ were finally forced to report on it.

The original story broke here... in German
Nachrichten aus Politik, Kultur, Wirtschaft und Sport - sueddeutsche.de

cYp

[Toland]

RTÉ (of course) are not touching this story on the nine o'clock news.

[Disabled student]

RTÉ (of course) are not touching this story on the nine o'clock news.

Typical of them as they don't want to offend the sensibilities of the Irish RCC or the Govt.