Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Cardinals Discuss Zero Tolerance Policy

Aired April 26, 2002 - 14:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to go to Philly in a moment, here. Again, that briefing about to begin, the 13th annual cardinal's dinner. We'll have it for you. I'm hearing now we're going to go back to it now. Back to Philly.

CARD. ANTHONY BEVILACQUA, PHILADELPHIA: I want to say how good it is to be back on American soil, after our meeting in Rome and back in Philadelphia. While in Rome, as you probably know by now, we developed a document in conjunction with His Holiness and Vatican officials, which will be presented to the bishops at the United States Catholic Conference for discussion at our June meeting, next -- in the middle of June.

Each of the American cardinals, including myself, has spoken extensively to the media while in Rome, as well as communicated with the press in their local diocese. I had an extensive press conference with the local media here in this room last evening.

I want to take this opportunity to correct a misunderstanding that has been prominent in the media on the position of the cardinals, on the question of zero tolerance of priests credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor -- and credibly accused means guilty.

I was surprised to see the headlines this morning, that there was less than zero tolerance unanimity among the cardinals, and that's not true. I want to say that all of the cardinals are agreed on zero tolerance. And by that, I mean that we all are agreed that no priest guilty of even one act of sexual abuse of a minor, will function in any ministry or any capacity in our diocese. All the cardinals are agreed on that.

And we intend to support this zero tolerance position at the June meeting of the conference of bishops, when there is a discussion on the set of national standards, which -- one of the proposals to the bishops and hopefully be accepted by the holy sea.

I say all of this so I can speak about the purpose of our gathering now this afternoon, to focus on Catholic University. Catholic University holds a special place in the hearts of Catholic bishops because of its origins. It was conceived of and founded by bishops in the 1800s.

Speaking practically, for Catholic University to continue to be a flagship for Catholic higher education, it needs to provide the financial means for the very best students to attend. That is the reason for the American cardinals dinner and why I am proud to host this dinner in Philadelphia.

This dinner also helps a local Catholic school for children with visual impairments. Tonight Sister Margaret Flemming, of the IHM, who is the principal of St. Lucy day school for children with visual impairments, will receive the cardinals encouragement award.

St. Lucy's, which is located in upper Darby, is one of five special education schools in the archdiocese of Philadelphia. As the recipient of the award tonight, the school will receive a gift of $10,000. The students of Catholic University are part of the future of the church. I am confident that with the excellent education they receive at Catholic University, they will help to continually strengthen the church.

And now I want to introduce the president of Catholic University of America, Father David O'Connell, who's a native of Philadelphia. Father O'Connell.

FATHER DAVID O'CONNELL, PRES., CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY: Thank you very much, your eminence. I'm really delighted to have this opportunity to meet with you...

HEMMER: We will keep a close ear on this in the question and answer session, if the questions become relevant to our recent coverage of the church abuse scandal.

But you heard the cardinal of Philadelphia saying at the outset that he essentially wanted to clarify something regarding the zero tolerance policy. He says all cardinals have agreed to a zero tolerance policy, saying any priest found guilty will not have a place in the Catholic Church. And then he went on to say he hopes to gain support for it during the meeting in June of the American bishops.

So, a clarification given there in Philadelphia. We'll keep a close eye on it and let you know what we hear more.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com