The NYT dropped another bombshell today, citing a memo that shows future-Pope Benedict XVI was apprised of plans to return a priest accused of molesting children to pastoral work. Earlier this month, a Munich diocesan administrator fell on his sword and took responsibility for transferring the priest, who later molested more children. Memos show that Ratzinger, who led the Munich archdiocese, led a meeting in 1980 about the priest in which the transfer was approved and was kept informed about the priest’s reassignment, according to the Times.
The Vatican’s response: “The article in the New York Times contains no new information beyond that which the archdiocese has already communicated concerning the then archbishop’s knowledge of the situation of Father H. Thus the archdiocese confirms the position, according to which the then archbishop had no knowledge of the decision to reassign Father H. to pastoral activities in a parish. It rejects any other version of events as mere speculation.”
Meanwhile, victims of the Wisconsin priest who molested hundreds of deaf kids but remained a priest despite warnings to the Vatican are speaking out. The case has eerie echoes in Italy, reports the AP. Four American abuse victims were arrested for protesting outside the Vatican. The Legionaries of Christ is apologizing to people who were sexually abused by their founder. French bishops wrote a letter to Benedict saying they are ashamed of priests who raped and molested children.
The Vatican newspaper calls all of this “clearly an ignoble attempt to strike at Pope Benedict and his closest aides at any cost.” Meanwhile, everyone seems to have an opinion about what Benedict should do to settle this crisis.
In other news, the National Council of Churches is renewing its call for Christians to set a common date for Easter. New Pentagon rules will make it harder to boot gay from the military. But will their partners receive military benefits, AP asks. The Idaho Baptist woman accused to abducting children is still sitting in a Haitian jail as her legal and financial troubles mount.
California megachurch the Crystal Cathedral, home of the “Hour of Power,” owes vendors tens of thousands of dollars for last year’s holiday pageant, the AP reports. Hare Krishnas are banned from soliciting donations at LAX, ruled California’s high court. A former Dominican friar won the Templeton Prize. Cremations are becoming more popular among religious folk. A church-state separation group wants the IRS to investigate a Florida church that posted a sign saying “No Homo Mayor,” to protest a gay mayoral candidate.
Iran is calling on Muslims to fight Israel’s expansion of settlements in Jerusalem. The former head of Germany’s Lutheran church was fined a month’s wages for driving drunk. French Muslims face a lot of discrimination, according to a report. A Limerick judge says the city’s pubs should be open on Good Friday, a first in Ireland’s history. Bottoms up, boyos.
