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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Pope 'letter' reignites abuse row | Pope 'letter' reignites abuse row |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Pope Benedict XVI has become embroiled in new revelations over child sexual abuse, over a letter he is said to have signed in 1985 before becoming pontiff. | Pope Benedict XVI has become embroiled in new revelations over child sexual abuse, over a letter he is said to have signed in 1985 before becoming pontiff. |
| Associated Press said it had obtained the letter, signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, resisting the defrocking of offending US priest Stephen Kiesle. | Associated Press said it had obtained the letter, signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, resisting the defrocking of offending US priest Stephen Kiesle. |
| Cardinal Ratzinger said the "good of the universal Church" needed to be considered in defrocking, AP reported. | Cardinal Ratzinger said the "good of the universal Church" needed to be considered in defrocking, AP reported. |
| It said the Vatican had confirmed the cardinal's signature on the letter. | It said the Vatican had confirmed the cardinal's signature on the letter. |
| However it quoted Vatican spokesman Rev Federico Lombardi as saying it was "not strange that there are single documents which have Cardinal Ratzinger's signature". | However it quoted Vatican spokesman Rev Federico Lombardi as saying it was "not strange that there are single documents which have Cardinal Ratzinger's signature". |
| He added: "The press office doesn't believe it is necessary to respond to every single document taken out of context regarding particular legal situations." | He added: "The press office doesn't believe it is necessary to respond to every single document taken out of context regarding particular legal situations." |
| The Catholic Church has been hit by a series of child abuse scandals, including in Ireland, the US, Germany and Norway, and has faced criticism for failing to deal adequately with the problem. | The Catholic Church has been hit by a series of child abuse scandals, including in Ireland, the US, Germany and Norway, and has faced criticism for failing to deal adequately with the problem. |
| 'Grave significance' | 'Grave significance' |
| AP said the Rev Kiesle was sentenced to three years of probation in 1978 for lewd conduct with two young boys in San Francisco. | AP said the Rev Kiesle was sentenced to three years of probation in 1978 for lewd conduct with two young boys in San Francisco. |
| Stephen Kiesle was jailed in 2004 for molesting a young girl | Stephen Kiesle was jailed in 2004 for molesting a young girl |
| It said the Oakland diocese had recommended Kiesle's removal in 1981 but that that did not happen until 1987. | It said the Oakland diocese had recommended Kiesle's removal in 1981 but that that did not happen until 1987. |
| Cardinal Ratzinger took over the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which deals with sex abuse cases, in 1981. | Cardinal Ratzinger took over the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which deals with sex abuse cases, in 1981. |
| AP says the 1985 correspondence, written in Latin, shows Cardinal Ratzinger saying that Kiesle's removal would have "grave significance" and would need careful review. | AP says the 1985 correspondence, written in Latin, shows Cardinal Ratzinger saying that Kiesle's removal would have "grave significance" and would need careful review. |
| Cardinal Ratzinger urged "as much paternal care as possible" for Kiesle. | Cardinal Ratzinger urged "as much paternal care as possible" for Kiesle. |
| Kiesle was sentenced to six years in prison in 2004 after admitting molesting a young girl in 1995. | Kiesle was sentenced to six years in prison in 2004 after admitting molesting a young girl in 1995. |
| Kiesle is now 63 and is on the registered offenders list in California. | Kiesle is now 63 and is on the registered offenders list in California. |
| Public trust | Public trust |
| The Vatican on Friday urged Catholic dioceses around the world to co-operate with police investigating sex abuse allegations against priests. | The Vatican on Friday urged Catholic dioceses around the world to co-operate with police investigating sex abuse allegations against priests. |
| This court... deems it necessary to consider the good of the Universal Church together with that of the petitioner Text of Pope 'letter' class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8611692.stm">Pope willing to see abuse victims | |
| Father Lombardi acknowledged that the Church had lost public trust and said Church law could no longer be placed above civil laws if that trust were to be recovered. | Father Lombardi acknowledged that the Church had lost public trust and said Church law could no longer be placed above civil laws if that trust were to be recovered. |
| He also said Pope Benedict was prepared to meet more victims of abuse to offer them moral support. | He also said Pope Benedict was prepared to meet more victims of abuse to offer them moral support. |
| BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott says this is an abrupt change of tone by the Vatican. | BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott says this is an abrupt change of tone by the Vatican. |
| He says officials had previously accused critics of trying to smear the Pope personally and only last weekend said he should ignore petty gossip directed at him. | He says officials had previously accused critics of trying to smear the Pope personally and only last weekend said he should ignore petty gossip directed at him. |
| Meanwhile Italian media have reported that the Vatican is to issue guidelines on its website on Monday on fighting paedophilia. | Meanwhile Italian media have reported that the Vatican is to issue guidelines on its website on Monday on fighting paedophilia. |
| The Vatican has ruled out any possibility of a papal resignation over the scandals. | The Vatican has ruled out any possibility of a papal resignation over the scandals. |