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Subscribe to RSSScotland's Cardinal Keith O'Brien will not attend the conclave to elect a new pope – on Monday he resigned after being accused of "inappropriate acts," the same day that Pope Benedict decided an internal report on the leak of papal documents by the Pope's butler would remain secret. NBC's Anne Thompson reports.
A potentially explosive report into embarrassing leaks from the Vatican will be seen by only two people — Pope Benedict XVI and the man who succeeds him.
Italian newspapers have already angered the Vatican by suggesting that the report found evidence of corruption, blackmail and a gay sex ring, and that it triggered Benedict’s decision earlier this month to give up the papacy.
The Vatican said in a statement Monday that Benedict, who commissioned the report on leaks from three cardinals, is the only person who knows its contents and will make them available only to the next pope.
The pontiff also praised the cardinals for showing "the generosity, honesty and dedication of those who work in the Holy See," considering "the limitations and imperfections of the human component of each institution."
Over the weekend, the Vatican took the unusual step of lashing out at the Italian press — accusing it of "unverifiable or completely false news stories" designed to influence the conclave that will pick the next pope.
Father Thomas Reese, author of "Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church," said that Benedict’s decision to keep the report secret was not a surprise.
"The Vatican doesn’t like to do its laundry in public," he said.
In any event, he added, the new pope could always decide to make the report public. Benedict’s decision simply gives him cover in case he wants to keep it private, Reese said.
Javier Barbancho / AFP - Getty Images
Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. Look back at his life from childhood through his papacy.
The pope ordered the report on what has become known as the Vatileaks scandal last year after documents became public that deeply embarrassed the church, including some of Benedict’s own correspondence and letters alleging corruption.
Benedict pardoned the ex-butler, Paolo Gabriele, just before Christmas.
The pope, 85, announced earlier this month that he would abdicate, the first leader of the Catholic Church to do so since the Middle Ages. His last day is Thursday. A conclave to pick successor begins next month.
The decision to keep the leaks report secret adds a layer of intrigue to what has already been a tumultuous papal transition.
Just Monday, the most senior cleric in Britain, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, resigned after The Observer newspaper reported that three priests and a former priest had accused him of inappropriate behavior going back 30 years.
Also Monday, the pope changed Vatican law to allow his successor to be picked sooner — as soon as all the voting cardinals are in place in Rome. Under previous law, the conclave could not have begun before March 15.
Related:
Britain’s top cardinal quits amid priests’ allegations
This story was originally published on Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:59 AM EST
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Religion is seen by the stupid as true, but the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.
NEXT!!!
All of this news media stuff is utter nonsense and an attempt to influence the election of the next Pope. The election of a Pope has never been influenced by the media before, won't be now, and will never be influenced in the future. We will get a conservative, orthodox Pope.
Yea...I guess.
How about no pope?
When you say WE please don't include myself and many others. WE don't care who the next Pope is, period. WE care about the atrocities performed by this Organization over the course of a thousand plus years. WE care about the ongoing corruption from top to bottom. WE care about the Vatican Archives that have kept from the Public that no one is allowed to see. WE care about crimes against Humanity. WE care about Justice. WE care about knowing the differences between right and wrong. WE can read, think and deduct and NOT Rely on Blind Faith. WE care and that's why we are here. That is WE.
Future historians will scratch their head in wonder as to why the Catholic global pedophile organization was allowed to rape children with immunity for over 750 years all across the earth, by hypocritically masquerading as "deeply religious". The pious followers tithed 10% of their incomes so almost any Catholic employee could write a check for up to $250,000.00 to cover the cost of shutting up the endless list of children raped by Catholic priests. The Roman catholic church is way beyond shameless, is pure evil at the highest levels, and 100% incapable of policing themselves.
Because this Corrupt Organization had Power over the Masses and no one knew how to stop it. We are now in the 21st Century and yes one does wonder how they kept this for these Thousand plus years. They use to beat, torture and actually execute folks for crimes against The Church (such as being a follower of another Religion). They forced folks to belong and to ante up to the Church. They went all over the Globe to shove their beliefs on others. Now that they can't get away with such crimes they hide other crimes from the Law. Some of these are allowed to vote for the next Pope. The payoffs to those who now complained is only the tip in the Iceberg especially the past 1000 years. Now all of that secret information in the Vatican Archives which no one else but the next Pope gets to see. Hard to believe but true. Proof is in the pudding I always say. Something this important MUST be questioned. Someone must be held accountable. What ever happened to the "Truth Shall Set You Free?". Well THEY don't want you to know the truth.
Religion is like crime , it's always bad but worst when organized.
I would trust organized crime over organized religion to watch a child. This is what Senator Ernie Chalmers (Nebraska) recently said:
"If given the choice between leaving my child with a RCC priest or a mafia boss.... I'd choose the mafia boss...."
HOW TRUE!
This merely adds credibility to the possibility that the reports would incriminate the pope and his band of gay cardinals.
I am absolutely amazed this religion is still around at all.
Of all the corruption, scandal, and support for pedophiles within their own cult one would think people would have woken up by now denouncing such a religion.
Oh well, I guess those folks are into those sort of things. Politicians and Religions... perfect bedfellows for a corrupted world.
EXACTLY correct!
It is still around because of the great financial strength, enabling them to pay off victims, and because of the fear they instill in their followers of going to "Hell" if they don't run their lives the way these pervs order them to live.
Money, and fear-mongering.
You'd think the physical and mental tortures their collective brains conjured up would have disgusted the masses enough to end their church. Obviously blood lust is more appealing than Jesus' message.
Santhosha,
Normally it would but oblivious people abound. With all the Catholics in the World you would think there would be more posts (thoughts) on this. It's either they don't care to read about their Organization or refuse to believe the writing on the wall. They fail to either care about or don't research their Churches History. Or maybe they think it is so easy to confess to a Man their sins and will be saved. So think about this you are confessing to another person belonging to an Organization that is corrupt and has a whole World full of skeletons in their closets. Vatican Archives being one. Naive, oblivious whatever you wish to call it. If you have a mind of your own why not use it.
I never expected the Pope to resign in disgrace. I totally expected him to continue ruling in disgrace.
Maybe he got his a$$ "saved", and is quitting so he won't have to participate in the evil any more.
This "history of good works" does NOT obviate the horrendous horrific felony crimes against humanity. and THIS story is utterly disgusting. I do not know how ANYONE can place their faith in this utterly sickeningly corrupt institution...sure Christianity yes but that church NO WAY would I ever put my kid 10 feet within a priest! it makes me want to vomit. The Vatican is the worst of the worst.
Why only two people will see it????? Does this old sicko think the public are MORONS??? I guess he does why else would anyone follow their dictates?
To all the RCC bashers posting here, I am curious about your sources of unimpeachable information...well, misinformation. Which corn-patch preacher mounted the stump in your backyard? If you know half as much as you think you know, why aren't you running something other than your mouth?
Been,
The church...the religion...the preachers....all of it ridiculous. All of it. The belief in imaginary and invisible objects....the mystical and impossible acts that defy all logic and scientific theory...all ridiculous. And the worst of it all our children are brainwashed to believe such things.
BeenOnTheEastGermanBorder - I see, so the numerous of people who have already come forward, the evidence that has already been stacked against your pedophile priests in your cult isn't enough for you?
Go ahead, keep supporting child sex and rape. That's completely your right.
Doesn't mean the rest of the entire human race supports you or your cult.
And you're going to have to learn to live with that fact.
I am too, but the RCC as usual, is locking the truth away to protect themselves.
You're not the least bit concerned about them keeping things secret?
Baaaa Baaaa Baaaa says you.
He isn't a corn-patch preacher, but he is a Monsignor.
A priest and a rabbi went for a walk in the woods and came across a little boy. The priest said; "lets f**k him!" and the rabbi said; "out of what?.
Very good! lol.
The Catholic Church is way past its expiration date. Its 2000 year reign of terror must end soon.
And the Oscar for Biggest Catholic Pedophile goes to........oh yeah, I forgot we'll never know!
Told you. Hidden in the Vatican Archives for NO ONE else to see. Thank the butler for adding to the list of atrocities by this Organization. People who hide the past will continue into the future until someone demands accountability. Fact!
Pope's tiny probe leaks, vatileaks, and stains his vestments, how embarrassing ! Don't tell anyone, it's a secret !
The direct result of an organization that polices itself and is exempt from the laws the rest of us have to live by. They will never pay for their crimes as long as they have that kind of setup.
ANOTHER VILE INSTITUTION that needs to be brough down by the people!
Pope's tiny probe leaks, vatileaks,and stains his vestments, how embarrassing ! Don't tell anyone, it's a secret !
And this is news??? Must be a real slow day....
Bunch of crusty old dudes walking in robes, they all look like they need to get laid!!!
Scumbag catholic officials have been getting away with murder and worse for centuries.It is really time for that so called religion to go away for good.But then what can you expect from men who wear red black and white satin dresses.
The Catholic Church is a black eye on Christianity. There is no secret why all of these horrific things happen; The Catholic Church relies on man rather than God. For those who want to experience true Christianity, pick up a bible and read about the life of Jesus. This is not the "church" that Jesus built.
Jtizzle, while you're at it, take note of all the inconsistencies, contradictions and scientific impossibilities you run across while reading that nonsense.
More pervs and coverups. Surprise. Surprise. While not limited to their conservative constituents, is it no surprise when you value secrecy and celibacy, unlike so many other faiths who allow and endorse their religious leaders freedom to marry.
The only reason the Vatican is keeping more secrets is because it has been and almost always has been a hideout for the degenerates of the world. What better place to hide than in that church. It became a place where same sex lovers could do all the things they wanted behide closed doors, like a huge firternity of them in there. Who would ever call it what it really is? They knew people would scorn those who made any comments of this sort, so they felt safe. It's been the biggest con in history. Just my opinion but I think it's right.
another secret of the Roman Catholic Church. When are these guys going to learn, when the last parishioner exits the Church for the last time?
So even after all of the recent past's lessons, this Pope still insists on continuing Catholicism as a SECRET ORGANIZATION. They do not deserve the support their members give them.
There are reasons that the world has been abandoning monarchy as a form of government for the last half millennium or so. Secrecy is one of them.
I'm holding out hope the next Pope will be a more progressive minded one that will do what's best for Catholics around the world and not what's best for the Vatican and just be open, honest and reform the Church while cleaning house. It's amazing how Benedict XVI really is such a huge let down as Pope after nearly 30 years of what many consider to be a great and beloved one in John Paul II. I was raised Catholic myself, and while I don't consider myself that devout of one these days... namely due to all the scandal, I know there is also good in the Church... I knew some very good priests and deacons that were all just men of God that wanted to do good... maybe it's being from So. Cal, but I had a priest in my parish do a sermon on how we need to do as Jesus would and be accepting of homosexuals as part of our church community... that was a pretty big deal when I heard it.. and we need more liek THAT leading the church.
I hope your hopes will be realized, but most likely the pervs who will be allowed to participate in the election will be carefully selected so they will maintain the status quo.