Pope Francis: Celibacy, Pedophile Cardinals

Here we go again.

The Leftist media run with comments allegedly made by Pope Francis, and the Vatican cries that he was misquoted.

From BBC News:

Pope Francis has been quoted as saying that reliable data indicates that "about 2%" of clergy in the Catholic Church are paedophiles.

The Pope said that abuse of children was like "leprosy" infecting the Church, according to the Italian La Repubblica newspaper.

He vowed to "confront it with the severity it demands".

But a Vatican spokesman said the quotes in the newspaper did not correspond to Pope Francis's exact words.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says there is often a studied ambiguity in Pope Francis' off-the-cuff statements.

He wants to show a more compassionate attitude towards Church teaching than his predecessors, but this can sometimes cause consternation among his media advisers, our correspondent adds.

..."Among the 2% who are paedophiles are priests, bishops and cardinals. Others, more numerous, know but keep quiet. They punish without giving the reason," Pope Francis was quoted as saying.

...Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi denied that Pope Francis had said that there were cardinals who were paedophiles.

...Asked in the same La Repubblica interview about the celibacy rule for priests, Pope Francis recalled that it was adopted 900 years after the death of Jesus Christ and pointed out that the Eastern Catholic Church allows its priests to marry.

"The problem certainly exists but it is not on a large scale. It will need time but the solutions are there and I will find them."

Father Lombardi also denied that these were the Pope's exact words.

I don't remember the Vatican needing to constantly walk back comments made by Pope John Paul II.

I don't remember the Vatican needing to deny reports of statements made by Pope Benedict XVI.

Why does this keep happening with Pope Francis?

Cardinals and bishops are among the pedophiles.

What?

Nope. Pope Francis didn't say that.

What?

Priests should be allowed to marry.

Really?

No. Pope Francis didn't say he'd find a "solution" to the celibacy requirement.

I'm so tired of these political games.

Faith?

God?

Irrelevant.