During Mass at the Vatican on Thursday, Pope Benedict appeared to make his first reference to the issue since 20 March, when he sent a letter to the Irish people about the abuse scandal in their country.
 |  Conformism which makes it obligatory to think and act like everyone else, and the subtle - or not so subtle - aggression towards the Church, demonstrate how this conformism can really be a true dictatorship  Pope Benedict XVI |
"I must say, we Christians, even in recent times, have often avoided the word 'repent', which seemed too tough," he said.
"But now, under attack from the world which talks to us of our sins, we can see that being able to do penance is a grace and we see how necessary it is to do penance and thus recognise what is wrong in our lives."
The Pope said this involved "opening oneself up to forgiveness, preparing oneself for forgiveness, allowing oneself to be transformed".
He also hit back at critics of the Church, portraying them as in the thrall of a conformist dictatorship.
"Conformism which makes it obligatory to think and act like everyone else, and the subtle - or not so subtle - aggression towards the Church, demonstrate how this conformism can really be a true dictatorship," he said.
Earlier this month, the pontiff's personal preacher was forced to apologise for having highlighted a comparison between criticism of the Church over the abuse allegations and "the collective violence suffered by the Jews".
In a sermon, Father Raniero Cantalamessa quoted a Jewish friend who said that attacks on the Church echoed "the most shameful aspects of anti-Semitism", such as the use of stereotypes and the spreading of collective guilt.
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is imperative that we pray for the Holy Father since it is a time of open struggle against the Pope and against the Faith. We must pray for his health, for divine protection of his person, and for him to receive all of the graces, gifts, and blessings from the Holy Trinity that he needs as the Vicar of Christ on Earth. I invite you, dear Reader, to join in this novena which I believe is tremendously important at this time.
O blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon us, our parish, our country, our homes, and our families, and upon all who greatly hope and trust in your prayers. By you it was that Jesus, our Savior and hope, was given to the world; and he has given you to us that we may hope still more. Plead for us your children, whom you did receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother. Intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the Chief Shepherd, the Vicar of your Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we all may be made worthy to see and praise God, together with you in our heavenly home. Amen.
