Cardinal’s ambiguity - Paedophilia is always a crime

As the celebrations to mark the election of Francis as pope continue, the millions upon millions of Catholics who hope his pontificate might lead to a renewal of their Church must despair at the remarks of the Catholic Archbishop of Durban, Wilfrid Fox Napier, who said on BBC radio last week that paedophilia is a psychological illness and not “a criminal condition”.

It may be a psychological illness but the instant it becomes active then paedophilia is most certainly a crime as well.

That despair can only deepen because South African Cardinal Napier, 72, is one of the 115 cardinals who elected Pope Francis at last week’s Vatican conclave. That such ambiguity persists so very close to the heart of Catholic power can only provoke the deepest concern amongst those who had hoped that clarity and honesty had replaced denial and collusion among the hierarchy on this issue.