“In response to news reports appearing in the print and electronic media, I wish to offer the following clarifications,” the prelate said. “Captions like ‘Sex Scandal closes in on Pope’”, which appeared “in the Sunday Times of India dated March 14, 2010 give an impression that the Pope is involved in a sex-scandal or cover-up operation to suppress truth in the cases of paedophile sex-abuse cases involving priests. This is not true and [has been] categorically denied.”
Other journalists have suggested that the “Pope has done nothing substantial, except apologise to victims and families”. This is also “incomplete and inaccurate” and “does not portray the full truth of the comprehensive efforts initiated by the Holy Father to address the issue of sex-abuse by priests in the Church.”
Allegations have been made that the Benedict XVI “issued a secret document to deal with priests” involved in “paedophile cases, thereby implicating him in an attempt to suppress the truth. This is a misrepresentation of the truth of the document. On the contrary, [. . .] as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,” the Pope “issued clear procedural rules calling for a more transparent investigation and stricter action against those found guilty of sex abuse.”