Thursday, December 23, 2010

Sinead O’Connor pens angry letter to Pope over paedophilia statement

CONTROVERSIAL star Sinead O’Connor has launched a scathing attack on Pope Benedict XVI over the statement that paedophilia was theorised in the 1970s as being "fully in conformity with man and even with children".

In an open letter after the head of the Catholic church made the comment during a Christmas address on Monday, the Irish singer urged the pontiff to explain who exactly within the Church made or supported the belief at the time.

Ms O’Connor — who has been an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church hierarchy since tearing up a picture of then Pope John Paul II during an infamous 1992 US television appearance — said the move is needed to "salvage the remains of the Church".

In a previous letter earlier this year, Dublin-born Ms O’Connor said the current pope’s apology for the systematic abuse of countless children in Ireland and elsewhere by members of the clergy "rings hollow".

An open letter to Pope Benedict from Sinead O’Connor:

Sir, Some burning questions arise from the following statement you made in your christmas address to your cardinals on December 20 regarding how it came to pass that the house of the Holy Spirit became a haven for criminals of a sexual nature.

‘In the 1970s paedophilia was theorised [by the church] as something fully in conformity with man and even with children.’

Please deign to respond to this letter directly and personally and put aside all the pomp and titles and so-called ‘proper channels’ all of which belong not in the 21st century but the 12th and are unbecoming of Christ.

Exactly who held the theory that paedophilia was fully in conformity with man and with children? Please give us their names.

Exactly when did they hold this theory? Exactly when if ever did they cease holding the theory?

Why was this information not given to victims?

Why was it never given to any commissions of enquiry or civil authorities?

Why in all the years since these scandals broke out was yesterday the first mention of this information?

It is highly disrespectful of the victims that you would throw this out as an aside remark and not present yourself for questioning on such a very serious piece of information which would be key in the potential recovery of the church.

The Holy Spirit requires you to familiarise yourself with honesty and respect if you retain any desire to salvage the remains of the church which has been ruined by its being allowed to live by its own laws and not God’s.

SIC: IXE/IE