March 17, 2010. The pope has officially announced that he’ll release his pastoral letter addressing the child sexual abuse scandal in Ireland, March 19th.
Benedict XVI“As a sign of my deep concern I have written a Pastoral Letter dealing with this painful situation.”During his weekly general audience, Benedict XVI said that on the feast day of St. Joseph he will sign and deliver the letter to Irish Catholics. While the letter will mention the child abuse cases involving members of the Irish Catholic Church, the pope says it’s addressed to Catholics world wide.
Benedict XVI“I ask all of you to read it for yourselves with an open heart and in a spirit of faith. My hope is that it will help in the process of repentance, healing and renewal.”The letter will ask bishops to collaborate more efficiently with civil authorities and will establish new efforts to prevent such heinous crimes.
The Pope dedicated his general audience to St. Bonaventure for the third consecutive week. On this occasion, he said St. Bonaventure always tried to feel close to God not only through study and good works but also through contemplation.
St. Bonaventure said that in order to know God you need to study and but also to love since according to the saint, in the ascent towards God it is possible to reach a point in which reason can no longer see but yet love can discern.
PVB/MC
CTV / JM
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