These apologies are getting kind of old. More boilerplate from the Vatican: Pope Benedict expressing “shame and remorse” for the rampant sexual abuse of young Catholics. This is bordering on ludicrous. Quick show of hands: Any Catholic out there who hasn’t had a run-in with a randy priest at some time in their formative years? I mean, seriously. I can see the occasional pervert slipping through the cracks, but it’s starting to look like pedophilia is a requirement for the pulpit. Here on the web we have a saying for stuff like this, and the saying is this: “Dude! WTF?!?” (Add the number of exclamation points you deem necessary.)
You’d think that after decades of scandal, the church might finally have gotten a handle on its pederast problem. You’d also think the Pope might do better than the same queasy apology Cardinal Law scrawled on the back of a napkin after the Boston debacle eight years ago. Enough with the shame and remorse, already. It rings hollow. It’s way past time to kick some asses and take some names. Starting in Rome.