Victims: Pope Benedict Protects Accused Pedophile Bishops Victims Say Pontiff Has Protected Bishop O'Connell, Cardinal Mahoney and 17 Others
By BRIAN ROSS, RHONDA SCHWARTZ and ANNA SCHECTER

Even as he told reporters on his flight to America that he was "deeply ashamed" over the church sex abuse scandal, Pope Benedict was accused by victims of protecting some 19 bishops accused of sexually abusing children.

"As a Catholic, I have to sadly conclude that he is not serious about ridding the church of corrupt bishops," said Anne Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, a group tracking public records involving the bishops.

According to the group, of the 19 bishops "credibly accused of abusing children," none has lost his title, been publicly censured by the Vatican or referred for criminal prosecutions.

"The sexual corruption in the Catholic church starts at the very top," said Doyle.

Pope Benedict told reporters on his flight this morning from Rome to Washington, D.C., he would do everything possible to avoid a repeat of the scandal. "We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry," he said, according to Reuters.

Update: Apparently the reported that got slapped received that treitment because he was asking Ratzinger about details described very well in this article:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/apr/24/children.chil... (less info)