"The Pope was drawn directly into the Roman Catholic sex abuse scandal last night as news emerged of his part in a decision to send a paedophile priest for therapy. The cleric went on to reoffend and was convicted of child abuse but continues to work as a priest in Upper Bavaria.
The priest was sent from Essen to Munich for therapy in 1980 when he was accused of forcing an 11-year-old boy to perform oral sex. The archdiocese confirmed that the Pope, who was then a cardinal, had approved a decision to accommodate the priest in a rectory while the therapy took place.
The priest, identified only as H, was subsequently convicted of sexually abusing minors after he was moved to pastoral work in nearby Grafing. In 1986 he was given an 18-month suspended jail sentence and fined DM 4,000 (£1,800 today). There have been no formal charges against him since."
The Vatican is claiming ignorance: "The cardinal could not deal with everything…"
Benedict XVI's spokesman says the Pontiff is being set up: "It's rather clear that in recent days there have been people who have searched – with notable tenacity – in Regensburg and Munich for elements to personally involve the holy father in the question of the abuses. To any objective observer it's clear that these attempts have failed."
In related news, the Pope's chief exorcist says the sex abuse scandals are proof the Devil is living in the Vatican.
(via americablog, joe.my.god)
Pope knew priest was paedophile but allowed him to continue with ministry [times online]
