VOA标准英语2010-Pope Promises Church Will Bring Abusers t

Pope Benedict XVI is cheered by faithful as he arrive to celebrate a Mass in Floriana, Malta, 18 Apr 2010

The pope met privately¹ with eight Maltese victims of sexual abuse in the Vatican's embassy in Valletta.

 

A statement issued by the Vatican after the meeting said he prayed with the men and assured them the Church will continue doing all in its power to investigate allegations, to bring to justice those responsible for abuse and to implement² effective measures designed to safeguard young people in the future.

The statement was one of the clearest yet from the Vatican that it wants local bishops³ to cooperate with civil authorities in prosecuting⁴ priests who abused children.  It also stated the pope was deeply moved by the stories of the abuse victims and expressed his shame and sorrow over what they and their families have suffered.

Lawrence Grech was one of the abuse victims who met with the pope.  He said he lost his faith 20 years ago, but this experience will change his life.

"I am more than satisfied," said Grech.  "I cannot explain.  It is more than I expected, because to meet the pope personally you have to be something special."

Grech is now married with two children.  He started a legal battle against the Church in 2003 for which he said he would continue to raise awareness⁵. 

Before the meeting Pope Benedict celebrated⁶ a large open-air mass in Valletta, attended by thousands of people.

The pope's last event in Malta was a meeting with young people on Valletta's waterfront, where he arrived by boat.  He told the youth that today's culture promotes ideas and values that are different from those of Jesus.  It is easy when one is young and impressionable, the pope said, to be swayed by peers to accept ideas and values that do not belong to Jesus.

Malta's society, the pope said, is steeped in Christian⁷ faith and values.

"You should be proud that your country both defends the unborn and promotes stable family life by saying no to abortion⁸ and divorce," said Pope Benedict.

Pope Benedict's visit to Malta was aimed at commemorating⁹ the 1,950th anniversary of the shipwreck¹⁰ of Saint Paul on the island.

 

1 privately   

adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地

参考例句：

• Some ministers admit privately that unemployment could continue to rise.一些部长私下承认失业率可能继续升高。
• The man privately admits that his motive is profits.那人私下承认他的动机是为了牟利。

2 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

3 bishops   

（基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象

参考例句：

• Each player has two bishops at the start of the game. 棋赛开始时，每名棋手有两只象。
• "Only sheriffs and bishops and rich people and kings, and such like. “他劫富济贫，抢的都是郡长、主教、国王之类的富人。

4 prosecuting   

检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师

参考例句：

• The witness was cross-examined by the prosecuting counsel. 证人接受控方律师的盘问。
• Every point made by the prosecuting attorney was telling. 检查官提出的每一点都是有力的。

5 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

6 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

7 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

8 abortion   

n.流产，堕胎

参考例句：

• She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
• A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。

9 commemorating   

v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He was presented with a scroll commemorating his achievements. 他被授予一幅卷轴，以表彰其所做出的成就。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The post office issued a series commemorating famous American entertainers. 邮局发行了一个纪念美国著名演艺人员的系列邮票。 来自互联网

10 shipwreck   

n.船舶失事，海难

参考例句：

• He walked away from the shipwreck.他船难中平安地脱险了。
• The shipwreck was a harrowing experience.那次船难是一个惨痛的经历。