Papal preacher wants "penitence day" for sex abuse
Dec 15, 2006 — VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A Vatican preacher said on Friday in the presence of Pope Benedict that the Catholic Church should hold a worldwide day of fasting and penitence to ask forgiveness for its priestly sexual abuse scandals.
Father Raniero Cantalamessa, whose official title is "preacher of the papal household," made the suggestion during a pre-Christmas sermon to the Pope and Vatican officials.
Cantalamessa said the Church had "wept and sighed" recently over "abominations committed by her very ministers and pastors."...