Pope Benedict XVI: Church's own 'sins' are greatest threat to Catholicism
Whether in business, church, or government, every organization finds it easier to point fingers than look in the mirror.
So it was no surprise 鈥� though still jaw-dropping 鈥� when a senior Vatican priest last month compared world outrage over new reports of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests to the persecution of the Jews. Other Vatican officials had called media reports of the scandal a "defamatory campaign."
Today, however, in remarks to reporters aboard a plane en route to Portugal, Pope Benedict XVI struck a different tone.
鈥淭he biggest weight on the church doesn鈥檛 come from the enemies outside, but is born from sin inside the church,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he church has a profound need to relearn penance鈥�.鈥�
The vigor of the Roman Catholic Church鈥檚 efforts to come to terms with past abuses and prevent future ones will determine the sincerity of the pope鈥檚 statement. His acceptance this weekend of the resignation of a German bishop at the heart of the scandal is a step in the right direction.
Still, the humility of Pope Benedict XVI鈥檚 remarks is itself an important milestone. Imagine if we heard such self-critical admissions from鈥�
Detroit automakers: 鈥淭he biggest weight on the industry doesn鈥檛 come from Japanese carmakers, but from management mistakes.鈥�
Consumers: 鈥淭he biggest weight on my credit card statement doesn鈥檛 come from seductive retailers, but from my own gadget lust.鈥�
The Boston Celtics: 鈥淭he biggest weight on the team doesn鈥檛 come from the Cavaliers鈥� LeBron James, but from the weakness of our transition defense.鈥�
Honest self-reflection and accountability should be the standard, not the exception. The pope鈥檚 comments today help pave the way.
