Pope calls sex abuse crisis talks

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of the Washington archdiocese holds a news conference on the Vatican grounds before the summit.

ROME, Italy -- U.S. cardinals are in Italy for talks at the Vatican to agree on action to tackle a child sex abuse scandal that has rocked the Catholic Church in the United States.

Boston's Cardinal Bernard Law said on Monday he hoped the watershed meetings with Vatican officials and 12 other U.S. bishops would put the church in "good stead" to formulate a united paedophilia policy at their next congress in June.

Law has described the Vatican meetings as a "wake-up call" for the U.S. Church.

He is at the centre of the scandal in which he is accused of knowingly transferring paedophile priests from parish to parish rather than defrocking them.

He declined to answer media speculation that he had already made an earlier trip to Rome to discuss his possible resignation with Pope John Paul II.

WATCH CNN TV Live From Rome -- Crisis in the Priesthood: Connie Chung takes an in-depth look at the pope's conference with American cardinals and bishops to discuss scandal in the clergy. 8 p.m. ET      MORE STORIES   •  Cardinal denies settlement with alledged sex abuse victims  RESOURCES   •  TIME.com: Catholicism in Crisis   •  The pope's letter   •  Interactive: Catholic Church faces scandal   •  In-Depth: Crisis in the Priesthood

"I'm not addressing that issue now," Law, 70, said. (Full story)

He added: "The crisis of clergy sexual abuse of minors is not just a media-driven or public perception.

"It is a very serious issue undermining the mission of the church."

The cardinals' arrival in Rome has attracted fevered press interest.

Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit had to help a photographer who was knocked to the ground in one scuffle on Monday.

The U.S. scandals, in which several priests have been accused of abusing children and teenagers, have shaken confidence in the American Church, cost it millions of dollars in settlements and raised questions about bishops' handling of the investigations.

The pope, who is said by aides to be deeply hurt by the crisis, has summoned all 13 U.S. cardinals to meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Vatican.

"The object of the meeting is examining the problems in the church in the United States in the wake of scandals connected with paedophilia, and (provide) guidelines in order to restore security and happiness to the families and trust to the clergy and the faithful," a Vatican statement said. (The statement)

Law has maintained a low public profile since it was revealed that he knew of Father Paul Shanley's sexual abuse for years but did nothing to keep him away from children.

He is also accused of having turned a blind eye to the sexual abuse of children by another Boston priest, John Geoghan, who is accused of abusing 130 children over 30 years.

"Regrettably, I and many others have been late to recognise the inadequacy of past policy, the dimensions of the crisis and the changes required to restore a sense of trust," Law has said.

Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the U.S. Bishops Conference, said there could be learning from both sides at the meetings.

Church officials said the cardinals will be seeking Vatican guidance on whether paedophile priests can stay in the ministry or if a "one strike and you're out" rule should be applied.

"We certainly hope to have an honest and an open conversation with the members of the Holy See," Gregory said.

"We hope to enter into fruitful dialogue with them to make sure that they have a clear appreciation of the situation that we face in the United States and that we have a better appreciation of (their) concerns."

Recent sex scandals involving the church are said to have upset the pope

Church officials have said the scandal has deeply affected the pope. Other high-profile clergy sex scandals have also emerged in Africa, Europe and South America. (Factfile)

At separate ceremonies during the weekend the frail pontiff twice made reference to the standards of conduct expected of the clergy.

On Saturday, he told Nigerian bishops that celibacy had to be "a complete gift of self to the Lord and his Church" and its importance must be "carefully safeguarded."

He said: "Behaviour which might give scandal must be carefully avoided, and you yourselves must diligently investigate accusations of any such behaviour, taking firm steps to correct it where it is found to exist."

On Sunday, during a service of ordination of 20 new priests, he told them they must be perfect and adhere to a "higher loyalty" and that Jesus expects a "higher loyalty" from priests, a more rigorous poverty and humility.

"He asks of you to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect," he said. "In a word, the Lord wants you to be holy."