For victims of pedophile priests, Pope Benedict XVI "did nothing"

Pope Benedict XVI "did nothing" to punish pedophile priests nor the hierarchy that covered them, say victims in the United States and Ireland, hoping that the fight against pedophilia in the clergy will be priority of his successor.

The balance of Benedict XVI is "dark. Has done great statements, but they were supported by any action or measure. During his reign, the children remained in danger," told AFP Barbara Blaine, president of an association of American victims, Snap.

The United States, such as Ireland, have been shaken in recent years, regularly, by sex scandals involving clergy and members of the hierarchy accused of covering their actions.

The Archbishop of Los Angeles (West U.S.) Jose Gomez has released earlier this month, by order of the court, the case files concerning alleged pedophilia a hundred men of the Church.

Last September, a Bishop Robert Finn, was convicted in Kansas (center) for not denouncing a pedophile priest and paroled. A few months earlier, William Lynn, a priest who worked in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (East), had been sentenced to between three and six years in prison for similar offenses.

According to reports published by the U.S. bishops' conference, who since 2002 with a charter, "Dallas Charter", more than 6,100 priests have been accused of pedophilia since 1950, 16,000 victims identified and 2.5 billion dollars spent on legal fees or therapy.

"But it is not an American problem, it is a global problem," Blaine adds to that the solution can still be found "at the feet of Pope Benedict XVI."

"Even during these next two weeks," she said, "it could take simple measures that would have a huge impact to protect our children and church in the world," she said, as online publishing the names of known predators, as have 30 American bishops, or order the bishops to report to the police any information about sexual abuse.

"The Devil"

For Robert Hoatson, president of the Relief Road To Recovery, "the pope did nothing." "I am very glad he resigned," added the former priest and former victim.

"The only things that have changed is when victims courageous kept up the pressure and that justice has forced dioceses to publish their documents. Mostly, the church has any hidden until justice ordered him not to publish "their information, he says.

"The next pope must address the problem, this is the most important because it concerns children, and this is a global problem," he said, offering a commission of experts to determine the measures to be take, "and if that means turning the bishops who covered (abuse), so be it."

In Ireland, the victims' group Survivors of Child Abuse has also welcomed the resignation of the pope: "This pope was a great opportunity to tackle decades of abuse in the Catholic Church. Has promised many things, but finally he did nothing, "said one official, John Kelly.

"The Church must recognize what has happened. They must recognize that they were let the devil inside (the church) and allowed him to reside there for 50 years," he accused.

"The Church can not advance. Functions of this pope was poisoned by scandal and this will continue unless the Pope addresses the root of the problem," he added.