An advocacy group for survivors of sexual abuse by priests has asked Pope Benedict XVI to replace the scheduled celebrant of a Latin mass in Washington. Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyas of Colombia is a former Vatican official who wrote a letter supporting a French bishop convicted of failing to report an abusive priest to police.
He is to be the celebrant Saturday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, The Washington Post reports.
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests or SNAP wrote the pope and Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington.
"To hold the cardinal up in a position of honor and leadership after what he's said would just rub salt in to the wounds of millions of betrayed Catholics and thousands of wounded victims," David Clohessy, the group's director, said.
The mass was organized by the Paulus Institute, a group advocating older liturgies.
"The reason we invited him is it's a complicated Mass," Paulus President Paul King said. "There aren't a whole lot of bishops who can say it and are available."
Castrillon's 2001 letter to Bishop Pierre Pican came to light last week in France.
Castrillon caused more uproar when he said Saturday Pope John Paul II had approved his words.
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SIC: UPI