Pope Benedict: The Church must learn again to Show Penance

Some people are saying that he is the Pope of "unity" and that's pretty good, but Pope of Penitance sound a lot better.

Benedict XVI on his address to the Italian Bishops: The Church must learn again to show penance and to accept purification. Not only forgiveness is necessary, rather also righteousness.

Vatican City (kath.net/KNA) Pope Benedict XVI. had invited the Italian Bishops to an open discussion about the Abuse Scandal. "the will to a new age of Evangelization does not preclude wounds, from which the Church suffers on the part of its weakness and sins of some of its members," he said on Thursday before the Italian Bishop's Conference in the Vatican. This "pious and painful understanding" may not be forgotten because there is the example of countless faithful and priests.

Benedict XVI said, the Church must learn again, to show penance and accept purification. Forgiveness is not only necessary, rather also righteousness, said the head of the Church. the Italian Bishops Conference held from Monday to Friday their early year gathering in the Vatican.

At the same time the Pope encouraged the renewed efforts of the Italian Bishops in Education and Formation. Even in Italy, there are signs of a "cultural crisis". As an example he named the uncertainties about moral values as well as the difficulties of many adults, their duties in raising the next generation.

This cultural crisis is "even as serious as the economic"

Benedict XVI. said it is "illusory" to believe, that only the economic crisis should be challenged, while the cultural is ignored. Facing the danger, that the great Traditions would become dead letter, must strengthen the Church's efforts in Christian education and upbringing. The family plays an indispensable role.

Link to original...