The Greatest Persecution of the Church Comes from Sin Inside the Church

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Today's NYT reports statements made by Pope Benedict, who embarked on a pastoral visit to Portugal (He'll be in Fatima for 13 May):

“Attacks on the pope and the church come not only from outside the church, but the suffering of the church comes from inside the church, from sins that exist inside the church.  This we have always known but today we see it in a really terrifying way.  The greatest persecution of the church does not come from the enemies outside, but is born from sin inside the church.  The church has a profound need to relearn penance, to accept purification, to learn on the one hand forgiveness but also the necessity of justice.  And forgiveness does not substitute justice.” 

More evidence that this pope is the best person to have at the helm to address the sexual abuse crisis in the Church.