Vatican defends Pope Benedict in German abuse scandal
BBC
The Vatican has denounced attempts to link Pope Benedict XVI to a child abuse scandal in his native Germany.
Spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said there had been “aggressive” efforts to involve the Pope, but added: “It’s clear that these attempts have failed.”
The Holy See’s prosecutor meanwhile said that “to accuse the current Pope of hiding [cases of abuse] is false”.
The Pope’s former diocese earlier said he once unwittingly approved housing for a priest accused of child abuse.
The episode dates back to 1980 when he was archbishop of Munich and Freising, and known as Joseph Ratzinger.
However, a former deputy said he – not the future Pope – had made the decision to re-house the priest, who later abused other children and was convicted.