Pocono News Section

Cardinal Silent On Smoldering Vatican Scandal

Cardinal Silent On Smoldering Vatican Scandal - Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 04:11AM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Wednesday March 31 2010
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- The sanctuary of Saint Peter's Cathedral was overflowing with priests. Once a year during Holy Week, all priests of the diocese are invited to participate in a special liturgy. Inside the cathedral, it was a celebration. Nearly every pew was filled.

Outside, criticism is increasing over the Vatican's perceived indifference to claims the Pope ignored sex abuse reports when he was archbishop of Munich, Germany. It's the latest chapter of challenge for Catholics with accusations of cover-up now rising to the highest reaches of the church.

Rigali, who travels to Rome at least twice monthly, declined to answer questions unrelated to what's known as the Chrism Mass, where holy oils are blessed for use at parishes across the diocese. The Philadelphia archbishop is widely considered a senior Vatican official. Rigali sits on a number of central church boards that work closely with Pope Benedict. Responding to a question about what he would say to those speaking negatively against the church, he said, "We don't want them to miss out on life, on peace, on joy."

And while the Vatican has sharply rebuked reports Benedict failed to act, a different prevailed inside St. Peter's Cathedral. There wasn't a mention of the mushrooming scandal that has touched off anger in Wisconsin, Ireland, Switzerland and Italy. And sources in the local diocese suggest showing up at a Mass will be the last place you would find criticism of church superiors. Speaking confidentially, we were told "people will remain quiet because they don't want to go to hell."

Cardinal Rigali used the Mass as a backdrop to call on the youth to consider vocations. With the number of priests continuing to decline steadily, Rigali invited young people to consider their place in the church.