By VICTOR L. SIMPSON • Associated Press Writer • April 15, 2008

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. — Pope Benedict XVI is in the United States.

Benedict arrived Tuesday on his first papal journey to the U.S. He was greeted off the plane by President George W. Bush, first lady Laura Bush and their daughter, Jenna. The pope waved as he came off the plane and shook hands with the president and his family. Students from a Catholic school squealed at the sight of the pope.

On the flight to the United States from Rome, Benedict addressed the most painful issue for the Roman Catholic Church in America — clergy sex abuse. The U.S. church has paid out $2 billion in abuse costs since 1950.

The pope said he is “deeply ashamed” of the problem and vowed to keep pedophiles out of the priesthood.

In your voice

Read reactions to this story

michels68 wrote:

I hve read the comments on this issue in the church. I think the people accusing prists in the church of abuse are suing for personal gain. I am a Catholic, I was an alter boy, went to Catholic School, and knew a lot of clergy. There was never any form of abuse. lets look at the facts. Why did these people wait so long to start this scandall? Why did one person start in motion a large number of copycat lawsuits by pepole looking for a quick buck. Also, why has there never been any ctiminal charges brought againist any prist? I think most of this scandal is friviolus media hype. It is anti Catholic, anti Christian, and yellow dog journalisim. Abuse may or may not of happen. However, according to our consitution every man is innocent until proven guilty in a criminal court. I think the church paid this money out to a group of low life human beings seeking easy money.
4/16/2008 2:32:04 AM

Kasimer wrote:

usworker….I get where you are coming from …..but based what Pope John Paul II affirmed …married priests as the norm doesnt look to be a reality any time soon ( if ever)….
4/15/2008 10:04:40 PM

Kasimer wrote:

vnufall…Points understood. To say nothing has happened really isnt true either. It also depends on the individual Diocese(s) handling of the issues..I know for a fact that the Diocese of Lansing has taken seriously the issues of the pedophile priests and the damage and harm caused to especially the victims as well as to the members of the diocese….the Diocese of Lansing has been proactive and staunch in their efforts….at the same time I am not sugar coating or denying the slow process of moving things forward across all Diocese. Not making excuses for anyone…..trottinhorse - the Franciscan - made some excellent points in his comments today…..again I do understand where you are coming from and not downplaying it….I am looking forward to see what the Pope has to say ( along with millions of other people) and what action takes place…Peace.
4/15/2008 10:02:37 PM

usworker wrote:

I grew up Catholic. I say he should just let the priests get married. What year is it anyways?
4/15/2008 9:52:38 PM

vnufall wrote:

well yes i understand what you are saying kasimer. this is a big issue for the catholic church-pedophilia. since the conference of catholic bishops in 2002 when things were supposed to be really looked at, and attempts to make up for wrongs…nothing has happened. it was all talk, little action. the legal theologians took a lot of time and effort to cover for these priests. i think the 3 adults that suffered under this irish priest just wanted some assurance from the vatican that their voices were heard. by the way the irish priest was deported back to ireland by the us. he was living in an apartment, no one in the area was remotely aware he was a pedophile and he drew a pension from the catholic church! this disturbs me.
4/15/2008 9:48:01 PM

Kasimer wrote:

trottinhorse…..well said…..if people can put aside their anger…take a step back and read what you stated….let it sink in …..then perhaps all of us can move forward…. as you stated…”We should not confuse the human failings of our fellow christians,(e.g. priests) with our faith. The administration of our faith (clergy) are human, and not perfect. We need to deal with that problem on an individual basis. We should not project the faults of individuals onto our faith”….and ” Lets recognize the human failings of our fellow man…….and go on !!!! “

4/15/2008 9:38:24 PM

Kasimer wrote:

BubbRubb… Did you read the same sentence from davelaw that I did…here it is “I think you have proven by your statements that you can see the myth of religious institutions. Our founding fathers saw it, hence the establishment clause of the constitution.”…I am not making or using an argument of Freedom OF Religion vs Freedom From Religion….davelaw referenced the constitution and our founding fathers intention on Religion. I am pointing out what IS WRITTEN in the constitution. You’re conclusion is ill-founded. And the only thing that is NONSENSE are your statements….refer to trottinhorse’s response to you for details. Here is something else to chew on….Freedom does not equal License to do what we please…

4/15/2008 9:31:32 PM

MAJMark wrote:

BubbRubb “We don’t need to write about it on our money”
If you dont like it, you can always give YOUR money away, right?
4/15/2008 9:18:12 PM

Kasimer wrote:

vnufall…I respect the position of the people from California with the issues with the Irish priest…at the same time because they were “turned” away at the gate doesn’t mean the Pope wouldn’t have cared to speak to them…what I mean to say is…let us say I had a problem with the mayor in my city. I go to Washington DC and end up at the WHitehouse…I ask to speak to President Bush about the issues.But I am turned away…does that mean my issues arent important ? No. Does that mean that Pres Bush doesnt care what I have to say? ( maybe /.maybe not)…but it would be foolish to think I can just show up and expect to see the PResident ….it just wouldnt happen….do you see the logic I am trying to provide? Sometimes it is in planning, sometimes it is knowing the sheer amount of time constraints that leaders of enormous entities like the US and The Catholic Church face everday….I am not taking away from anyone’s issues…just trying to put in common sense/logic.
4/15/2008 9:17:05 PM

Kasimer wrote:

Finneous ..you made an excellent point ,.,..”These men who are being ordained now are a far cry from the hippie generation that we have been burdened with from the failed liberal experiments and infiltration of the 50-70’s.”……….This is the point….let us focus on Today , Tomorrow….learn from the past but not live there…..look forward to the future…but not be locked into fantasy of what is not yet to be.
4/15/2008 9:03:26 PM