Word: vaticans
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...convocation, which is scheduled to take place this week, means the Vatican has finally accepted that the American church's pedophilia problem is Rome's as well. "When there's a problem in the family, you call the members of the family together to discuss it," says a Vatican insider...
Neither should the symbolism of ecclesiastic spectacle be underestimated. In a departure from Vatican tradition, the Cardinals' meeting is expected to provide daily briefings to the press. Few expect full disclosure of the discussions. The talks may range from debates on a formal policy to prevent and handle further abuse cases to deeper doctrinal conversations about celibacy and female priests. They will certainly set the agenda for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' meeting, scheduled for June in Dallas. Meanwhile, the appearance of high-level openness may help calm troubled waters...
Weigel expects little material progress from the Vatican sessions. "It's two days," he says. "Two days! And these are extremely complex issues." But at least they are finally being confronted by the only men with the power to resolve them...
...long as John Paul II is able to speak (or write) coherently, he can fulfill his responsibility to direct the church and instruct his flock [LETTER FROM THE VATICAN, April 8]. Whether he can stand up for two hours to serve as the chief celebrant at Mass or stoop to wash 24 feet is beside the point. Ceremonial functions, while certainly important, are not an essential part of the office. So idle speculation about whether John Paul II is fit to be Pope or whether he should retire is just that: idle speculation. RON SAMUELS Studio City, Calif...
...VATICAN CITY Punishment for "Notorious" Priests To broad disappointment among Roman Catholics and victims' advocates, U.S. cardinals ended an emergency Vatican meeting on sexual abuse by priests without adopting a retroactive zero-tolerance policy. The prelates agreed to ask the Vatican for permission to defrock "notorious" pedophile priests but left open the matter of those accused in just one or two past cases. At a conference in Dallas in June, the cardinals will shape a mandatory policy on the abuse issue, which has rocked the church...