April 15, 2008

BENEDICT XVI
Pope 'ashamed' of clergy abuse scandal
USA Today staff and wire reports (04/15/2008)
Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday he was "deeply ashamed" of the clergy sexual abuse scandal that stained the Catholic Church and will work to make sure pedophiles don't become priests. Benedict was answering questions that were submitted in advance by reporters aboard a special Alitalia airliner as he was flying from Rome to Washington to begin his first papal pilgrimage to the United States.

Victims: Pope Benedict Protects Accused Pedophile Bishops
Brian Ross and Rhonda Schwartz/ABC News (04/15/2008)
Even as he told reporters on his flight to America that he was "deeply ashamed" over the church sex abuse scandal, Pope Benedict was accused by victims of protecting some 19 bishops accused of sexually abusing children.

Pope T-Shirt, Anyone? Turning to Big Donors, and Souvenirs, for a Costly Visit
Neela Banerjee/New York Times (04/15/2008)
WASHINGTON — From printing tickets for the papal Masses to organizing street closings and security, a hefty bill looms for the hosts of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States.

Benedict strives to escape John Paul's shadow
Stephen Weeke/NBC News (04/15/2008)
NEW YORK - For those watching Pope Benedict’s ways and words this week through the memory of John Paul’s oversized magnetism, the key question may well be one of relevance: How much does a self-effacing, old European pontiff really matter to modern America?

Striving for a balance of access, safety
Matthew Hay Brown/Baltimore Sun (04/15/2008)
WASHINGTON - From the moment Shepherd One touches down today at Andrews Air Force Base, Pope Benedict XVI will be afforded all the protection due a man who is both a head of state - Vatican City - and leader of the world's largest church.

A Back-to-Basics Messenger
Michelle Boorstein/Washington Post (04/15/2008)
ROME -- In an era saturated with entertainment and politics, a key question looms as Pope Benedict XVI leaves here Tuesday for Washington: Is his style too dense to get Americans' attention?

POLYGAMY
Polygamy Sect Moms Told To Leave Children
CBS/AP (04/15/2008)
Texas officials who took 416 children from a polygamist retreat into state custody sent many of their mothers away Monday, as a judge and lawyers struggled with a legal and logistical morass in one of the biggest child- custody cases in U.S. history.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Clinton Says U.S. Is ‘Blessed’ to Receive Pope
Sewell Chan/New York Times (04/15/2008)
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton issued a statement this morning praising Pope Benedict XVI for his work on world peace, social justice and climate change and welcoming his visit to Washington and New York this week. Senator Clinton, of New York, and her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, are intensely courting Catholic voters, particularly in advance of the Pennsylvania primary scheduled for a week from today.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Christians Promote Holy, Hot Sex in Marriage
Susan Donaldson James/ABC News (04/15/2008)
More evangelical couples -- once embarrassed and prudish about sex -- are now leaving their Christian inhibitions at the bedroom door. For this growing group of younger, more progressive Christians, guilt is out and pleasure is in.