U.S. Cardinal Forcefully Addresses Sex Abuse Scandal

Insists new pope must commit to ‘zero tolerance’

The next pope must commit himself to ‘‘zero tolerance’’ of the sexual abuse of minors by clergymen, a senior US cardinal said Monday, the first day of deliberations by the princes of the Catholic Church ahead of the papal election. The statement by Cardinal Francis George, the archbishop of Chicago, was a rare mention of the scandal in the context of discussing ‘‘papability’’ — the qualities and attributes desired by the cardinals in the man who will succeed the pope emeritus, Benedict XVI, who relinquished the position Thursday (Feb. 28).” By Daniel J. Wakin, The New York Times, in The Boston Globe

Women Deserve Bigger Role in Church, Says Key Cardinal

The Roman Catholic Church must open itself up to women in the next pontificate, giving them more leadership positions in the Vatican and beyond, according to a senior cardinal, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, who will be influential in electing the next pope.” By Philip Pullella, Reuters