Should Pope Benedict Stand Down
 

Based on the fact that him and just about every other cardinal in the Vatican knew of the priests and bishops raping hundreds of children.

I say, yes. Let him face the consequences of his sins and set an example.

Stand down? Are you having a laugh? No pope in the history of the Catholic Church has ever relinquished the papacy just because their followers throw hissy fits. Preserving the name of one of the most corrupt and hypocritical religions in history is no reason to "step down". His actions are understandable, albeit idiotic to most people, but as a leader you have to do what's best for your organization. Benedict's "sins" can't hold a candle to some of his predecessors, you act as if he was raping children on Easter in front of their mothers.

Excuse me for wanting a Pope that is modern thinking and moral.

Yeah, this is nothing new unfortunately. Every Pope has known about all the nasty that's been happening in and around the Church. It's just now they're being called out on it. And it's about time. But I don't think one Pope stepping down is going to do much to fight the corruption that exists within the Church. It's doubtful that you'll get a new Pope that's moral.

"Pope" and "modern thinking" are not terms I generally associate with each other.

I was reading an article in the Washington Post earlier regarding just this. Incidentally, it was written by my mother.

On Faith Panelists Blog: A time for prophetic leadership and accountability - Kerry Robinson

Read up, she makes very insightful points regarding the duties of a leader on the world stage.

Yeah, at least we no longer live in an age where the popes do that.

Corruption inside the Church? The Church is the definition of corruption, and who they elect "president" of the institution doesn't change anything.

Throughout history the popes have been subject to worse "sins" that any average guy (it's always about sex, they just can't help themselves :D)

God said it was ok, though...that's why they are the pope.

The Pope isn't the problem.
The problem lies with the church. The pope is only a mouthpiece for it's medieval outlook on a modern world.
It's about time they changed their stance.
Do they really believe that the use of condoms will worsten the AID's crisis in Africa?
Apparently so.
The latest bout of hypocrisy only adds to the shame.