Christians Win Through the Cross, Not the Sword, says Pope

Christians gain victory through the cross, not the sword said Pope Benedict XVI during a mass celebrating Maundy Thursday, which marks the day of the Last Supper between Christ and his disciples.

Benedict, who symbolically washed the feet of several priests during the ceremony, said in his homily that to be Christian means to "come to Christ, belong to Christ, the anointed of God, the One to whom God has given the kingship and the priesthood."

The Pope also explained the biblical meaning of oil as a "sign of God's mercy" and a symbol of peace.

"Christians, therefore, should be people of peace, people who recognize and live the mystery of the Cross as the mystery of reconciliation," he said. "Christ does not win by the sword, but through the Cross. He wins by overcoming hatred. He wins by virtue of his greater love."

"The Cross of Christ expresses his 'no' to violence. And so it is a sign of God's victory, announcing the new path of Jesus. The sufferer was stronger than those who held power."

Notably for the media, however, Benedict's message failed to mention anything about the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal, which has left Catholics worldwide, clergy and lay people alike, doubting the church's morality, and leading some to even call for the Pope's resignation.

Following last summer's reports on abuse in the Irish Catholic Church, scandals involving Catholic clergy have surfaced in multiple locations, including the U.S. and Germany, where Benedict himself is being held responsible for approving a known pedophilic priest to work in a local parish.

In his response, Benedict has given harsh words on numerous occasions against child abuse and perpetrating clergy members, including in a recent pastoral letter to the Irish Church where he said that the abusive priests had "betrayed the trust that was placed in you by innocent young people and their parents" and that they must "answer for it before Almighty God and before properly constituted tribunals."

Observers, meanwhile, have said that Benedict hasn't done enough to address the scandal, especially regarding disciplinary measures against the abusive priests, who many are calling to be terminated from their positions.

Yesterday, Archbishop Jerome Listecki of Milwaukee defended Benedict's handling of the abuse scandal, saying that the "Holy Father has been firm in his commitment to combat clergy sexual abuse; root it out of the Church; reach out to those who have been harmed; and hold perpetrators accountable."

"He has been a leader, meeting with victims/survivors and chastising bishops for their lack of judgment and leadership," Listecki added.

"I believe, and history will confirm, that his actions in responding to this crisis, swiftly and decisively, and his compassionate response to victims/survivors, speak for themselves."

Benedict's approval ratings, meanwhile, have taken a significant toll in the U.S., dropping to 40 percent from a 60 percent high in 2008.

The Pope is scheduled to visit the United States later this month, where he will meet with U.N. and other officials in New York City.

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