Pope's message is more of the same

In the wake of Pope Benedict's pastoral letter responding to the clerical sexual abuse in Ireland, it is embarrassing to be Catholic these days.

Reports on the global scandal have been revealed for the past thirty years and the Pope continues to be surprised at the continually unfolding epidemic. It is not an American problem, as some would have us believe because we are fiercely independent and secular values.

Proof positive is that it happened in many countries in exactly the same manner.

The Pope apologizes yet no action is taken to remove every priest guilty of these egregious crimes and every bishop who enabled him by moving him from one parish to another to prey on innocent souls. Change will be rapid when the first bishop is behind bars for these crimes.

Well, the Pope can apologize yet again and hopefully mute, obedient Catholics can awaken from their catatonic state to realize that we are the church and for the church to change, we must change and become church with and for one another.

Janet W. Hauter

South Barrington