The Holy Father's Apostolic Journey

Today marks the arrival of the Holy Father in these United States for a very busy Apostolic Journey to New York and Washington. This will likely be the only visit of the Pontiff to these shores during his Pontificate. Without a doubt his most important address will be the one that is really the reason for his visit, the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York on Friday, 18 April. He will also meet with and talk to the bishops of the United States and Catholic educators among others.

Reuters reports from an aiborne press conference that the Holy Father, in his characteristically forthright and gentle manner, when asked, addressed the sex abuse scandal in the U.S. and pulled no punches, saying: "We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry". Further, he acknowledged being "deeply ashamed and will do whatever is possible so that this does not happen in the future". In addressing the scandal that has rocked the Church in this country for some six years now, he also addressed the shortage of priests, saying that everything that can be done will be done to screen candidates for the priesthood "so that only really sound persons can be admitted. It is more important to have good priests," the Holy Father said, "than to have many priests".

Let us keep him in our prayers during these days and always. It is a blessing to receive support from the Holy Father on tax day. Ours are complete as of 11:15 PM last night- Deo gratias!