Ex-pope Benedict XVI asks for forgiveness over handling of sex abuse cases but denies wrongdoing
February 9, 2022, 8:05 am

Ex-pope Benedict XVI asks for forgiveness over handling of sex abuse cases but denies wrongdoing

Pope Benedict xvi-President George Bush-Laura Bush/Pixabay

The Euronews reported, citing media outlets, Ex-pope Benedict XVI has asked for forgiveness for any “grievous faults” in his handling of sexual abuse cases within the Catholic Church.

But he did not admit to any personal wrongdoing, despite recent criticism of his conduct while serving as archbishop of Munich.

The 94-year-old retired pope said on Tuesday: “I have had great responsibilities in the Catholic Church."

"All the greater is my pain for the abuses and the errors that occurred in those different places during the time of my mandate."

A January report accused Benedict of mishandling four sexual abuse allegations in the Munich archdiocese between 1977 and 1982.

The

on Tuesday released two letters, including one written by Benedict in response to the allegations.

The emeritus pope said that by meeting victims of abuse, he had "seen at first hand the effects of a most grievous fault".

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He wrote: "I have come to understand that we ourselves are drawn into this grievous fault whenever we neglect it or fail to confront it with the necessary decisiveness and responsibility, as too often happened and continues to happen."

“Once again I can only express to all the victims of sexual abuse my profound shame, my deep sorrow and my heartfelt request for forgiveness.”

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The Euronews said, the retired Pope's team had previously corrected an "error" that initially denied that Benedict had attended a meeting to discuss transferring one priest in question

The second letter from his advisers read: “As an archbishop, Cardinal Ratzinger was not involved in any cover-up of acts of abuse."

Benedict's lawyers added that there was no evidence that Benedict was aware of the four priests' criminal backgrounds.

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Benedict -- who stepped down in 2013 -- also thanked his successor Pope Francis for his "support" and "trust" after the German report was published.

Source: euronews

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.