Pope Benedict decided to end speculation about whether he will discuss the abuse crisis, even before he lands. Aboard the plane en route to Washington, D.C., he said this, according to the Associated Press: "It is a great suffering for the Church in the United States and for the church in general and for me personally that this could happen....It is difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way their mission ... to these children." "I am deeply ashamed and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future." "We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry," Benedict said in English. "It is more important to have good priests than many priests. We will do everything possible to heal this wound." Here’s my take on his comments, in light of priestly vocations: The Church’s Shame James Martin, SJ