Vatican on defense after Pope’s associate compares pedophile scandal to anti-Semitism

Pope Benedict XVI faced fresh criticism Saturday after attacks on the Catholic Church over the pedophile priest controversy were compared to anti-Semitism, further marring Easter Week celebrations.

Jewish groups and those representing victims of abuse by Catholic priests denounced the remarks by the pope's personal preacher during a Good Friday homily.

Rome's chief rabbi joined the chorus of criticism, saying in an interview published Saturday: "It's an inappropriate parallel and of dubious taste."

The comparison was not made on "any day, but on Good Friday, that is the saddest day in the history of relations between Christians and Jews," Riccardo Di Segni told the Italian daily La Stampa.

The parallel was drawn in a letter that Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher to the Papal Household, said he received from an unnamed Jewish friend.

rest at http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0403/vatican-defense-popes-associate-compares-pedophile-scandal-antisemitism/