Benedict faces true test as churches issue mea culpas

POPE BENEDICT XVI sees the priestly sex scandal as a “test for him and the Church,” his spokesman says, as the Pope and his bishops around Europe used Holy Week’s solemn call for penitence to pledge transparency in dealing with the abuse of children.

Swiss bishops urged victims to consider filing criminal complaints. German bishops opened a hot line for victims. Danish bishops launched an inquiry into decades-old claims. And Austria’s senior cleric, Cardinal Christophe Schoenborn, admitted Church guilt as he presided over a service for victims billed as a sign of repentance.

“Thank you for breaking your silence,” Schoenborn told the victims. “A lot has been broken open. There is less looking away. But there is still a lot to do.”