Benedict: 'Bind up the wounds'

0 Comments | USA TODAY, April, 2008 | by Marisol Bello and Cathy Lynn Grossman

WASHINGTON -- Pope Benedict XVI confronted some of the Catholic Church's most contentious issues Wednesday as he began a six-day visit to the USA.

He said the church in this country must strengthen marriage, fight religious skepticism and heal its flock after the scandal of sexual abuse by priests.

Speaking to more than 300 bishops, Benedict bluntly called on church leaders to step up their efforts to rekindle the faith of the nation's 65 million Catholics.

"Is it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs?" he said. "Is it consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor and the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior...