The Pope finally (after how many decades?) broke his silence on the Catholic priest sex abuse cases. He said the priests had succumbed ``to the most grievous forms'' of what he called, using the Latin phrase, ``mystery of evil.''

``Grave scandal is caused, with the result that a dark shadow of suspicion is cast over all the other fine priests who perform their ministry with honesty and integrity and often with heroic self-sacrifice,'' the pope said. He said the Church ``shows her concern for the victims and strives to respond in truth and justice to each of these painful situations.''

Gee, maybe the church can "show her concern" for the victims a little more by finally refusing to hire pedophiles.