Biggest peacekeeping force at crossroads in Congo

clipped from news.yahoo.com The 20,000 peacekeepers tasked with guarding a country the size of Western Europe have been unable to protect civilians from a variety of rebel groups who kidnap children, rape women and decapitate enemies. Some of the peacekeepers themselves are even accused of sexual abuse, gold trading and corruption. The United Nations isn't signing off on a date for leaving but U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recommended they start with up to 2,000 troops leaving peaceful areas by June 30, which marks the 50th anniversary of Congo's independence from Belgium. Officials had planned to start in Equateur — a relatively peaceful corner of the country until a conflict erupted six months ago. Last month, more than 100 insurgents there overwhelmed a handful of U.N. peacekeepers guarding an airport. Information Minister Lambert Mende accused the U.N. of pretending "to help a people while trampling its dignity" Peacekeepers are authorized to use force to protect civilians

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Vatican to bishops: follow law, report sex abuse

One of the sad things about all this is many believe and label these as Christian. Don't be fooled into believe that lie. These Catholic Priest's are far from being Christ Like. Which is what the Word Christian means. These Catholic Priest's (NOT CHRISTIANS) have gotten away with this stuff for way too long.

clipped from news.yahoo.com VATICAN CITY – The Vatican responded Monday to allegations that it had concealed years of clerical sex abuse by making it clear for the first time that bishops and other high-ranking clerics should report such crimes to police if required by law. Victims have charged that the Catholic Church created what amounted to a conspiracy to cover up abuse by keeping allegations that priests raped and molested children secret and not reporting them to civil authorities. The Vatican has insisted that it has long been the Catholic Church's policy for bishops, like all Christians, to obey civil laws. In a new guide for lay readers posted on its Web site, the Vatican explicitly spells out such a policy. "Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed," the Vatican guidelines said.

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Pope: Abuse was sinful and criminal

clipped from breakingnews.iol.ie The Pope has apologised to the victims of clerical sex abuse in Ireland, saying he is "truly sorry". In a pastoral letter which is being read out at Masses across the country this weekend, the Pontiff has called on Bishops to admit that grave errors of judgement were made and failures of leadership occured. He asked abusers to openly acknowledge their guilt, to submit themselves to the demands of justice and said the abuse was "sinful and criminal". “You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry.” n the much-anticipated letter, Pope Benedict acknowledged that many victims who were brave enough to speak out found no one would listen. “In order to recover from this grievous wound, the Church in Ireland must first acknowledge before the Lord and before others the serious sins committed against defenceless children,” he added. “No one imagines that the present painful situation will be resolved quickly,” he added.

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