During his recent visit to our country, Pope Benedict XVI put the sex-abuse issue at the top of his agenda, addressing it even before his plane landed. He expressed his shame, admonished his bishops for not being more vigilant, met with some victims, and promised that he would put procedures in place, to ensure that pedophiles never again enter the priesthood.

Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t doing and saying all these things necessitated by the fact that the man he put on the fast track to sainthood never did? (At least, not until he was forced to by angry parishioners and mounting lawsuits.)

Funny thing, the pope never mentioned anything during his visit about how that canonization process is progressing. Well, maybe he’s still looking for the two miracles attributable to his predecessor.

I can assure you of one thing, though: None were reported during Benedict’s meeting with those victims.

MYLES R. MOLITOR

Cumberland