What Did The Pope Say About Child Abuse?

According to the Pope’s Pastoral letter he is “deeply disturbed by the information which has come to light regarding the abuse of children” . The Pope proposes “some concrete initiatives to address the situation”. His two main initiatives are “intense prayer” and “Apostolic visitations”:

Vatican Press Office: 20.03.2010:  Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Church in Ireland, it is with great concern that I write to you as Pastor of the universal Church. Like yourselves, I have been deeply disturbed by the information which has come to light regarding the abuse of children and vulnerable young people by members of the Church in Ireland, particularly by priests and religious. I can only share in the dismay and the sense of betrayal that so many of you have experienced on learning of these sinful and criminal acts and the way Church authorities in Ireland dealt with them.

… For the full letter click through to Vatican’s Press Office bulletin …

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What Did Jesus Say About Child Abuse?

Acording to the Catholic Bible (Douay-Rheims version) in Matthew Chapter 18, Jesus is passionate about the subject. He spells out, in detail, his view of the unique value and superior status of children in “the Kingdom of Heaven”. According to the Catholic Bible, Jesus condemns child abuse in no uncertain terms and with some of his strongest language on record:

1 At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, 3 And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.

6 But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be  hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh. 8 And if thy hand, or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 10 See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

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