The Bahamas: Roman Catholic Archbishop of Nassau - Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder announces program to protect children... Says: ...he would never tolerate any abuse within his Archdiocese

Pinder: I won’t tolerate abuse

By Travis Cartwright-Carroll
Guardian Staff Reporter
travis@nasguard.com

Catholic Archbishop Patrick Pinder said yesterday he would never tolerate any abuse within his Archdiocese and added that he knows of no one in the local Catholic ministry against whom any allegations of sexual abuse exist.

His comments came amid allegations of abuse that have swirled in various circles.

Pinder said it is unfortunate that there are some members of the Order of St. Benedict against whom allegations of sexual abuse have risen.

The archbishop said in a statement, “The Benedictines (Order of St. Benedict) had a long and distinguished association with The Bahamas which extended over a period of 120 years.  They have done a tremendous amount of good for the religious and social development of this community, particularly in education.”

Pinder said he would never tolerate abusive behavior period — whether sexual or otherwise.

Referring to allegations against some members of the Order of St. Benedict, the archbishop said, “This casts aspersions on their colleagues, the vast majority of whom were men of excellent character and exemplary virtue.

“This is a sad development.”

Pinder said he remains hopeful and prayerful that reconciliation can be achieved for those affected.

“I am thoroughly committed to maintaining safe environments for children and vulnerable adults in our community,” he said.

“In support of this, we have launched, here in the Archdiocese, the Virtus program for the protection of God’s children.”

The Virtus program, according to Virtus.org, identifies best practices designed to help prevent “wrongdoing and promote right doing within religious organizations”.

For more than a decade now, the international Catholic Church has been rife with allegations of sexual abuse brought against priests.

Some of the most senior officials in the Catholic Church in the United States and elsewhere have for years been accused of covering up reports of abuse and transferring clergy against whom those reports were made.

Last year, a group of victims abused by Catholic priests filed a formal complain to the International Criminal Court accusing the pope, the Vatican secretary of state and other senior officials of crimes against humanity.

The Catholic Church has spent years trying to sanitize its image amid the serious reports of sexual abuse and widespread cover up involving church officials.

Jun 28, 2012

thenassauguardian

Welcome to His Holiness Benedict XVI

GRANMA EDITORIAL:

ON Monday, March 26 the Cuban people will warmly and respectfully receive Pope Benedict XVI, Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church and head of state of Vatican City, as a guest of the government and the Cuban Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Cuba is honored to welcome his Holiness with hospitality and demonstrate the patriotism, culture, solidarity and humanist vocation of its people, which sustains the history and unity of our nation.

We will also welcome, with our characteristic friendship, the thousands of pilgrims present for what doubtless will be highly memorable days.

Fourteen years ago, with the same sentiments, the Cuban people received Pope John Paul II who, before leaving, spoke of "the profound impression" his stay made on him and gave thanks for the "cordial hospitality, a genuine expression of the Cuban soul."

The apostolic visit of Pope Benedict XVI, which will continue through March 28, is motivated by the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the image of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre.

Recently, her statue toured the country in the company of believers and non-believers.

We are confident that His Holiness will retain warm memories of the island and will value his visit as a demonstration of confidence and a renewed expression of the excellent and uninterrupted relations between the Holy See and Cuba.

In recent months, authorities of the Catholic Church, the Vatican and the Cuban government have all been working toward making Pope Benedict XVI’s visit a success.

From his arrival in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, the cradle of national independence struggles, the Pope will be welcomed and accompanied by Cuban men and women.

The mass presence of the population in Santiago de Cuba and Havana, joined by compatriots from other provinces, will express the country’s satisfaction given the opportunity to receive the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church and will demonstrate our unity, community spirit and culture.

His Holiness will meet with a people secure in its convictions, noble, educated, impartial and organized, who defend the truth and listen with respect.

From his reception in Santiago de Cuba’s Antonio Maceo y Grajales Plaza de la Revolución and the José Martí Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, to his farewell, Pope Benedict XVI will find a nation fighting for human dignity, freedom, independence, solidarity and the common good, in order to win justice and a better world, which is not only possible, but essential.

Havana. March 12, 2012

granma.cu