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Posts: 5277
Oct 6 06 3:52 AM
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Quote:Go back and read the document again, Tan, but this time with the understanding that it is referring to those penitents who were abused within the context of a sacramental confession.
Quote:Clergy sexual abuse issues are handled by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a major department of the Vatican administration. This has been the case since the 18th century although the name of the present congregation has been changed twice during this period. It was first known as the Congregation of the Holy Inquisition. It later became known as the Congregation of the Holy Office and after Vatican II, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Cardinal Ratzinger, presently Pope Benedict XIV, had been the prefect, or head, since 1981. Although he signed the letter containing the revised norms and quite possibly had a direct role in drafting it, the procedures themselves had to be approved or promulgated by the Pope for validity and effect.There is also an over-riding omission in both the 1962 document and its descendant, the 2001 declaration. Both documents concentrate on prosecuting the alleged offenders and protecting the institutional church from the fallout of public knowledge of the crimes. Neither document approaches the far more challenging and important task of pastoral care and spiritual healing for the victims of these crimes. There is no evidence that the official Church ever issued any norms, guidelines or instructions on the pastoral care of those harmed by clergy sexual abuse.More. . .
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