Pope really sorry

Pope Benedict has sent a special letter of apology to all the Catholics of Ireland, presumably because the sensitivities of Irish Catholics were so much more offended by the church's widespread sexual abuse scandals than the less touchy Catholics in Germany, Luxemburg, or Kansas. Although touchy is probably a bad choice of words. "You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry," the letter read in part. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated. Know this, however; into every life a little rain must fall. It's not like the end of the world, and most of you will get over it if you just ask God to forgive you for your grudges." Although the papal epistle was full of mea culpas and written on the very finest Vatican stationary, there was no mention of punishment for the perverted priests involved in the scandal, nor of any corrective action beyond sending a 'special apostolic delegation' to certain undisclosed locations in Ireland. Just what this delegation would do when it got wherever it was going was also not revealed, but it is assumed that laying a guilt trip on the perpetrators would be part of the action plan, as indicated by a section of the letter addressed to the abusers, where the Pope tells them they have "forfeited the esteem of the people of Ireland and brought shame and dishonor among your confreres." Forfeiting esteem is considered one of the harshest penalties that can befall a pedophile priest. In conclusion, Benedict touched upon the spiritual pain that has afflicted many Irish Catholics. "It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the Church. In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel. But I pray that you not believe all priests are guilty of molesting young boys. There are many who molest young girls instead."