Pope lays down sex abuse law [but repentance loophole lingers still]

  POPE John Paul II set out steps yesterday for dealing with a sex abuse scandal that has shaken the American faithful, decrying abuse as a sin and a crime.
  Talks between American cardinals and top Vatican officials resumed a day after the Pope opened the sessions by using the word "crime."
  His phrasing seemed to end any lingering debate about whether United States bishops should refer abuse accusations against priests to secular authorities.

[PICTURE: The Pope, head bowed and hands joined.] The Pope

  "The abuse which has caused this crisis is by every standard wrong and rightly considered a crime by society as well as an appalling sin before God," the Pope said.
  "People need to know that there is no place in the priesthood and religious life for those who harm the young."
  The remark made clear that abusers must be removed.
  But as the 12 U.S. cardinals resumed meetings on a plan of action, one topic for discussion was whether wayward priests should be readmitted to the active ministry after therapy and repentance.
  In comments outside the closed-door meeting, Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles said: "Practically every one of us brought up close collaboration with law enforcement during the first round of discussions."
  In Cardinal Mahony's view, the Pope made it clear there was no place in the priesthood for anyone who abused minors.
  "It's the strongest language I've seen about what we call at home zero tolerance," he said. -- ASSOCIATED PRESS