But while headlines around the world claimed Pope
Benedict XVI endorsed the use of condoms, what the Pope actually said
was a bit different.
He still strongly disapproves of condom use as
contraception, and said only that a male prostitute may choose to use a
condom to prevent the spread of the HIV infection.
Lows: Accusations of sexual abuse first from Ireland and later mainland Europe smashed any remaining perception that predatory priests were an American anomaly and thrust the Vatican into its greatest crisis since the 2002 revelations of abuse in the U.S.
The
scandal brought the church's standing to a new low among believers in
Europe and, in March when allegations surfaced in Germany, turned the
spotlight on the Pontiff himself.
It seems 30 years ago, during a brief
tenure in Munich, the Pope, then Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger, had
transferred a known abusive priest to his own archdiocese, ostensibly
for therapy.
But just days after his arrival, the priest was allowed to
serve among the flock and subsequent sexual assaults occurred.
While
Benedict has done a number of substantial things to deal with the
crisis, including meeting with abuse victims and accepting the
resignation of high-ranking clerics, he remains silent on his time in
Germany.
SIC: TIME/INT'L