Franciscan Family Offers Support to the Pope.

In response to the bad press that has been directed towards Pope Benedict XVI, and the calls from several groups, both within and without the Catholic community, for his resignation and/or arrest; many other Catholics have been voicing their support. On April 11, 2010, the Ministers General of the Franciscan Family (OFM, CONV, CAP, TOR, and SFO) sent a letter of support to the Holy Father.

The Catholic News Service reported that on Sunday, May 16, 2010, around 120,000 individuals gathered in St. Peter’s Square for a demonstration of support for the Pope.

The Holy Father has definitely needed these expressions of love and respect. Some of the secular press, columnists, and commentators, have been very savage in their criticisms of Pope Benedict’s actions, or lack thereof. Unfortunately, some of these writers had their own agendas, gotten their facts wrong or taken out of context. Other writers, notably John Allen of National Catholic Reporter, have pointed out the substantive actions Benedict XVI has taken to deal with the scandal, both before and after he became Pope. Now I also believe that this is true, but I also believe that in order for the Church to get beyond this scandal, a lot more needs to be done, a lot more needs to be revealed, a lot more needs to change. Sadly, I feel we are still dealing with only the tip of the iceberg.