Pope Says Sex Abuse Is A "Scourge" For Society, Alludes To Jerry Sandusky Case

Pope Benedict XVI responded to the decades of scandals over clergy abusing children today in front of visiting U.S. bishops. He says:

“It is my hope that the Church’s conscientious efforts to confront this reality will help the broader community to recognize the causes, true extent and devastating consequences of sexual abuse, and to respond effectively to this scourge which affects every level of society. By the same token, just as the church is rightly held to exacting standards in this regard, all other institutions, without exception, should be held to the same standards.”

In addition to loosely referencing the Jerry Sandusky allegations, Benedict says he also wanted to acknowledge the suffering of the victims of abuse:

“I wish to acknowledge personally the suffering inflicted on the victims and the honest efforts made to ensure both the safety of our children and to deal appropriately and transparently with allegations as they arise.”

It’s definitely a welcome stance when you compare it to the amount of quotes we previously witnessed accusing the victims of targeting the church. Because targeting the church is a totally worthwhile venture that every presumably powerless little kid wants to get in on. But after all these years, is it too little too late?