A child abuse scandal of Bostonian proportions has slowly been exploding in the German media over the last several weeks, and has finally personally touched Pope Benedict XVI. Allegations of priestly abuse and Church cover-ups have been investigated by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, but on Friday, a papal spokesman agreed that there were “serious problems” in the way a high-profile abuse case from 1982 was handled, when the Pope was Archbishop of Munich. A senior member of Benedict’s staff in the Archdiocese of Munich has taken the blame for approving the return of an unnamed priest to ministry several times after abusing multiple children in multiple instances. Despite the evidence implicating Benedict – one long-time observer of the Church is quoted in the Times calling the Pope a “micromanager” who would have required such instances be brought to his attention – the Vatican is denying any papal responsibility in the case, suggesting instead that a conspiracy to defame or even topple the Pope is afoot.

Before his election as Pope, Benedict was head of the Vatican office investigating priestly sex abuse. When Boston’s scandal broke in 2002, the Times writes, Benedict was one of many Vatican officials who accused the press of blowing the issue out of proportion. Andrew Sullivan points out that this pattern – preferring to protect the clergy instead of children – is nothing new:

But what staggers me is once again the immediate, visceral circling of the wagons – when what is being revealed – again! – is a pattern of criminal abuse, aided and abetted by a powerful elite, led by the Pope himself. If this were a secular institution, the police would move in and shut it down.

Elsewhere…

D.C. – Nancy Pelosi, you promised us an ENDA vote! LGBT members of congress are still optimistic we’ll get a vote before March is over, but are they just lying/being overly optimistic? (Bilerico Project, Queerty)

D.C. – DADT repeal rally on Thurdsay, with Kathy Griffin. (Towleroad)

California – LAPD cracks down on outdoor sex in public parks. Sry guys, guess you’ll just have to leave your curtains open, instead. (Towleroad)

New York – Father Robert Carter, gay priest, civil rights activist, and founder of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, is dead at 82. (Towleroad)

New York – Much of the New York City political establishment to appear at a rally in Queens to denounce last week’s gang beating of a man who’d attended an LGBT event at a local restaurant. (Towleroad)

Teh Interwebs – Scott Lively asks Russia: “Would you like some violent homophobia with your characterization of American gays as a criminal syndicate?” (Pam’s House Blend)