This is a small step forward. Roman Catholics need to do a lot more to stop the rape of their children by their priests, but this is a small step forward. (WHDH-TV 4/13/10)

Reverend James Scahill of St. Michael's Parish in East Longmeadow has been outspoken on the need for accountability among church leaders for a long time.

Now, however, his tough criticism is going straight to the top of the Catholic Church.

Rev. Scahill is demanding greater protection for child sex abuse victims and greater accountability from the Catholic Church Hierarchy.

He says Pope Benedict should step down.

“Anyone that would cover up the abuse of a child or a minor, to me, is guilty of a felony...If it can be established that there was a cover up, then I think they should have the integrity to resign,” Scahill said.

The undemocratic nature of Roman Catholicism created an environment where all sorts of evil have flourished. Obviously, rampant child molestation is the highest profile evil for now, but massive greed, racism, sexism, warmongering, and heterosexism also are consequences of a church whose members have yet to take ownership of it.