This week, Pope Benedict XVI will make his first visit to the US as during his papacy. This will also be the first papal visit of this century, and likely the only chance many American Catholics will have to interact with the Pope, the leader of the church. But many American Catholics are also waiting to see what kind of message the Pope will bring with him. Many are expecting His Holiness to remind American Catholics of what the Church stands for and what our religion has taught us in modernity.
But there is another group of Catholics who want to the Pope to address the sex scandal of the Church. These victims, and victims rights advocates, want the Pope to apologize for the sex scandal. But is it worth the Pontiff's time in America to spend it apologizing of .2% of priests, many of whom have already been defrocked?
When the plans for Benedict XVI's visit were first reported, it was said that he would not speak to the sex scandal, but rather would use his trip to show what the Church stands for and what the Church can offer the world. The Pope's visit was to be a mission of love, and a chance for the American Catholics to see the leader of their faith. But, during his plane ride over the Atlantic, after much public outcry regarding his lack of comments on the abuse scandal, he finally made a statement about it, and continued to make statements at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at Catholic University (my alma mater). It was also reported that the Pope and President Bush talked about the scandal during their private conversation in the oval office.
But even with the Pope's acknowledgment and apology is not enough for many victims, including Joelle Detiex:
However, nothing Benedict can say will change what happened to these victims. As a Catholic, I feel for them and embarrassed by my Church, I think these victims should accept the message of love the Pope is trying to bring to America, and accept that he has made his statement on the matter.