'Forgive us': churchmen

Church representatives to ask forgiveness for protecting abusers

Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec arrives at Santa Andrea della Valle Church in Rome Oct. 18, 2010, for a Mass of thanksgiving for the canonization of St. Andre Bessette, also from Quebec.

The Catholic Church is still apologizing.  Pope John Paul II once commented that apologies seemed to be missing in the public sphere from other entities. Here is a story by CNS journalists Carol Glatz and Cindy Wooden  about not only an apology, but work on a plan to improve efforts to stop the activity that leads to the need for apologies.

Quebecker Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, will lead a penitential vigil Feb. 7 to show contrition for the sexual abuse of children by priests and for the actions of Catholic officials who shielded the perpetrators from justice.

This will be during a week-long symposium, "Toward Healing and Renewal," attended by representatives of 110 bishops' conferences and 30 religious orders, which will launch a global initiative aimed at improving efforts to stop clerical sexual abuse and better protect children and vulnerable adults.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.