London, England, Sep 18, 2010 / 05:49 am
Expressing the "shame and humiliation" of all the Church for the suffering caused by priests who abuse children, the Holy Father hoped that through Christ victims might find peace. He stressed his "deep sorrow" for the crimes committed and hoped for healing of victims, purification of the Church and a renewal of her commitment to children.
The Pope's words to victims came during the homily of Saturday morning's Votive Mass of the Precious Blood of Christ in which he spoke of the suffering of humanity united with that of Christ on the cross.
Contemplating the mystery of Christ's precious blood, Pope Benedict said that His agony on the Cross is represented by those who suffer on earth. In martyrs it is "most eloquently" represented, he said, while it is also witnessed in the suffering of those persecuted for the faith, the ill, elderly, handicapped and everyone who suffers spiritually and mentally.
"Here too," he added, "I think of the immense suffering caused by the abuse of children, especially within the Church and by her ministers."