-Caveat Lector-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1671000/167
1540.stm
Friday, 23 November, 2001, 05:47 GMT
Pope sends first e-mail apology
The Pope was unable to travel to Oceania
Pope John Paul II has sent an apology by e-mail for a string of
injustices, including sexual abuse, committed by Roman Catholic
clergy in Oceania.
The 81-year-old pontiff transmitted the message, his first virtual
apology, in a recent string of statements of contrition, from a laptop
in the Vatican's frescoed Clementine Hall on Wednesday.
In certain parts of Oceania, sexual abuse by some clergy has
caused great suffering and spiritual harm to the victims
Pope John Paul II
Reporting on a Synod meeting held in 1998, the Pope wrote that bishops from the region
"apologised unreservedly" for the "shameful injustices done to indigenous peoples" in
Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the So
uth Pacific.
"The Church expresses deep regret and asks forgiveness where her children have been or
still are party to these wrongs," the document said.
The report singled out the "stolen generation" of at least 30,000 Aboriginal children
forcibly separated from their parents in a church-backed government attempt to educate
them and assimilate them into white culture.
Sexual abuse
His message also addressed the issue of sexual abuse: "In certain parts of Oceania,
sexual abuse by some clergy... has caused great suffering and spiritual harm to the
victims," the document acknowledged.
The Pope "apologised unreservedly" for injustices against indigenous peoples
The Pope gave no details of the cases he was referring to, but internal Vatican
reports documenting instances where priests and missionaries had forced nuns to have
sex with them - and even to have abortions afterwards -
have come to light in recent years.
"Sexual abuse within the Church is a profound contradiction of the teaching and
witness of Jesus Christ.
"The synod fathers wished to apologise unreservedly to the victims for the pain and
disillusionment caused to them," the pontiff wrote.
Jews and Orthodox
This is just the latest in a series of papal apologies for the sins of the Roman
Catholic church.
Last month, Pope John Paul II apologised to China for the errors of missionaries in
colonial times.
This was the latest in a string of papal apologies
On controversial visits to both the Ukraine and Greece earlier this
year, he asked Orthodox Christians' forgiveness for wrongs
committed against them by Roman Catholics.
And in a trip to Israel last year, he publicly asked God's forgiveness
for the sins of Roman Catholics through the ages, including wrongs
inflicted on Jews, women and minorities.
However, the Pope stopped short of travelling to the other side of
the world to deliver this message in person.
"I would have wished to visit Oceania once again," he said, "but it
was not to be."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forwarded as information only; no endorsement to be presumed
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material
is distributed without charge or profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking
new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe
simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not
believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do
not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not
believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men.
Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it
agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all.
Then accept it and live up to it."
The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutta
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
A merely fallen enemy may rise again, but the reconciled
one is truly vanquished. -Johann Christoph Schiller,
German Writer (1759-1805)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that
prevents us from living freely and nobly. -Bertrand Russell
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Everyone has the right...to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless
of frontiers."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will
teach you to keep your mouth shut."
--- Ernest Hemingway
<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are
sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis-
directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with
major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought.
That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and
always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no
credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html
<A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
<A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A>
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
