Many Catholic watchers groaned in disbelief when new Pope Benedict XVI chose San Francisco Archbishop William Levada to replace him as chief doctrinal watchdog. One of Levada’s new responsibilities will be to oversee the clergy sex abuse scandal that has rocked the United States and Europe. Levada drew mixed reviews at best in handling cases of abuse in San Francisco and Portland Oregon.
Benedict’s predecessor, John Paul II often looked the other way when confronted with the mounting priest abuse scandal.
However, according to Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, Benedict XVI promised George that he would take the abuse crisis seriously. For the victims’ sake, let’s hope so.