text: Cael, 
  I would LOVE  to be able to believe that this is a language/translation issue, or that perhaps some kind of "diplomatic speech," but given  the church's recent history, I doubt both. That ANY Vatican official, much less a Cardinal in the church can say something like "The church has become increasingly aware of the harm experienced by victims, of their suffering and of the need to listen to them," AND retain his job as secretary of state is mind boggling, for the questions the statement brings. 
  
  How could "shepherds" NOT understand the harm done to victims for hundreds (thousands?) of years? How could it be that they are only now learning the need to listen to them (even as they restructure the Commissions on the matter to exclude the victims?) The imagery they roll out every year is of a shepherd that knows his sheep. Yet these shepherds only now are becoming AWARE of the harm experience by victims. Where have they been?
  
  As I say, statements like that should lead to firings.