Is AVCF really in Sabbatical leave?

ATI Graduation Ceremony
14 Feb

http://www.anglicansabah.org/2010.1/news2010.htm

February 14, 2013 was an evening of celebration for the Anglican Training Institute (ATI, formerly known as School of Ministry and Mission, SOMM) where 352 people gathered in the Hosanna Hall of All Saints’ Cathedral for the first Graduation and Opening Service. Besides celebrating the achievements of the graduating students and participants who completed the Ambassadors Programme, returning and new students of ATI, as well as new participants of the Ambassadors Programme were warmly welcomed.

The evening was graced by the presence of the Bishop’s Commissary, Revd. Herbert Tong, the Rt. Revd. Peter Tasker of the Diocese of Sydney, Assistant Bishops the Rt. Revd. John Yeo and the Rt. Revd. Melter Tais, the Very Revd. Chak Sen-Fen (Chairman of Diocesan Mission & Church Planting Committee; Dean of All Saints’ Cathedral), the Training Committee, priests and pastors from throughout the diocese. The tutors for the Diocesan Diploma of Ministry (DDM), Archdeacon Timothy Mildenhall and wife Kathy were also present.

After a short welcome, the participants were led into singing songs of worship and followed by congratulating speeches via video from the Bishop, the Rt. Revd. Albert Vun and then the Acting Principal of Moore Theological College, the Revd. Dr. Willis Salier. As the Principal, Revd. Lin Khee-Vun outlined the vision of ATI, and introduced how the new Integrated Training will integrate Training with Discipleship, Vocation, Fellowship, Context and Mission. After that, an offering was collected as an act of worshipping the Lord via investing in ‘equipping the saints’.

The Certificate Award then took place, with Revd. Tong awarding the DCM certificates and

Rt. Revd. Tasker the ThC. Bishop Tasker then shared a powerful message from the Word of God taken from the Book of Judges.

The following nine graduates received their Diocesan Certificate of Ministry (DCM) and Moore Theological College’s Certificate of Theology (ThC): Nelson Tai Zun-Bin, Wong Keng-Soon, Darren C. Edward, Margaret Chin Oi-Sim, Lim Bun-Hui, Chung Kui-Fung (Chinese), Lee Siew-Yun (Chinese), Yap Hue-Yee and Philip Lo Vui-Chong (absent). Yap Hue-Yee was also presented the Best Student award for graduating at the top of her class.

Participants of the Ambassadors Programme who completed the programme were awarded the Certificate of Completion: Danilo Bin Benjamin, Chew Jiun-Ru, Tung En-En, Shyron Jecqline Patrick and Lawrence Liau Tze-Yung (absent). Participants who found their calling in the midst of the programme were awarded the Certificate of Attendance: Jovina Ng Pui-San and Chai Sin-Yee (absent).

After awarding certificates for the Ambassadors Programme by the V. Revd Chak, the graduates were commissioned by Bishop John Yeo while the benediction was conducted by Bishop Melter Tais. With that, the whole service ended with much gratitude and celebration offered to the Lord. It was certainly a time of worship and acknowledgement of God’s grace for everyone who is part of ATI.

Motions to ASC AGM on 24th March, 2013

Motion 1 to 3 sent to the Secretary, last Sunday 

Motion  1.

All Saints’ Cathedral members would urge the Dean and the PCC to appeal to the Bishop of Sabah to amend the following matters in the Constitutions that affect ASC in good governance with a sub-committee comprising 50% of ASC members and such amended Constitutions be in due process with the members of ADOS apart from Synod based on a guideline of proceedings.

The matters are as follows:-

1.1       Article XIII Cathedral Chapter of The Constitution of  Diocese of Sabah in sub section 3 as “In the event of the departure or transfer or retirement of the Dean, the Bishop shall be the acting Dean until a suitable successor is appointed” to be amended to ““In the event of the departure or transfer or retirement of the Dean, the Bishop shall be the acting Dean until a suitable successor is appointed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND WITHIN one YEARS”

1.2       The Composition of the Council

Under clause ( c ) of Article VIII  where “Any other clergy and lay workers licensed by the Bishop to serve in the Parish” shall be observers status only and not part of the quorum.

1.3  In the Conduct of Annual General Meeting

The Motions and the audited accounts together with the previous AGM minutes and Reports must be made available in hard copy one week before the AGM and issued to those who are entitled to receive them.

The AGM minutes must be ready within one month of the AGM as concluded.  Such minute must be verified within 45 days from  date of AGM by a verification committee consisting 2 member of clergy, 3 members of outgoing/incoming members plus 5 ordinary members attending the AGM.  The minute must be fully signed and confirmed as correct.

1.4    Major projects above RM30,000

Any major projects above RM30,000 at any time in the basis year should be approved by an EGM unless it was already approved at the previous AGM.  A proper project paper would be desirable at the EGM.

Rational:-

1.  Norms for governance to be defined

2.   To avoid conflict, contradiction and selective application.

3.   Certainties of roles.

Motion 2    We demand for a full investigation of the performance of the acting Dean since 2006 in ASC.  An investigation committee be formed in this AGM to look into all aspects of ASC vis-à-vis ADOS to declare Datuk AV as unfit to remain as Bishop.

RATIONAL:-

1. Platform for appropriate corrective actions including restitution of losses etc.

2. To firm up misleading accusations as denied.

3. For moral, morale and good practice.

4. To implement the vote against AVCF as acting Dean in last AGM.

Motion 3

We call for a full review of the Diocesan Assessment for All Saints Cathedral in the context of Biblical interpretation and administrative justice for God as money or tithe collected by ASC to be retained in ASC say 70%  and 30%  only to the Diocese of Sabah which is not a church under a new structure and constitution.

Rational.

1.    Uniformity, accountability and transparency for the system.

2.    ASC has its own sister churches but not accountable to ASC.

3.    ASC has no say in how the money under the Diocesan Assessment has been deployed in the Synod.

4.    The Synod accounts for 2010 and 2011 did not disclose the Diocesan Assessment

5.    Much of income of ASC has been diverted to Diocesan account directly.

6.    ASC to play a greater role in missions and ministries on its own.

NB:  I did not send motion 4 last Sunday. 

Motion 4.

All Saints’ Cathedral is urged to make POLICE reports on the following matters amongst many yet to surface:-

1. The rape of a minor in All Saints’ Cathedral ground in a children camp in August, 2011.
2. The ordination of unqualified persons including non Sabahans as priests/pastors by Bishop of Sabah;
3. The electoral rolls of ASC likely to include non Malaysians and dubious citizens with project IC.
4. The presence of several police personnel including a patrol car in the church of ASCon 29th August, 2012
5. The press report in the Church of England newspaper in January, 2013 on the corruption in the Province of South East Asia and the Bishop of Sabah as accused of financial misconduct. No defence for AVCF.
6. The ‘theft’ of fixed assets of the Deanery and the Bishop Lodge when the previous occupants moved out.
7. The massive deficits of the All Saints’ Cathedral of 2010 and 2011.
8. The inappropriate approval of the House of Celebration worth RM30m causing liabilities and anxieties .
9. The three massive blogs with massive crimes of AVCF are allowed to prevail or exist for its truth not lies as alleged by AVCF.
10. The sudden closure of All Saints’ Kindergarten.
11. The existence of All Saints Anglican Academy once with unqualified principal just resigned in December, 2012.
12.  The deaths of priests, pastors, and sudden resignations of clergies in ADOS affecting the mother church ASC being the major financier for decades in ADOS. (ASC had contributed at least RM5-8m since 2006)

Rational:-

1.    The truth must be restored to the Anglican Diocese of Sabah for public assurance.

2.    No multiple standards allowed.

3.    The rule of law must prevail.

4.    Good governance and public accountability.

5.    Punitive measures to be applied.

Proposed by Joshua Kong   second by:  ????? anyone ??? 

any comments welcome ---

Dean Chak and PCC take note of final notice.

Final notice to Dean Chak and PCC of ASC:-

This is the final notice for the said Police Report to be lodged.

Please extend me a copy of the Police Report by Fax and email by 28 February, 2013.

my fax number is 088 247823.

my email address is jknow823@gmail.com

1. The rape of a minor in All Saints’ Cathedral ground in a children camp in August, 2011.
2. The ordination of unqualified persons including non Sabahans as priests/pastors by Bishop of Sabah;
3. The electoral rolls of ASC likely to include non Malaysians and dubious citizens with project IC.
4. The presence of several police personnel including a patrol car in the church of ASCon 29th August, 2012
5. The press report in the Church of England newspaper in January, 2013 on the corruption in the Province of South East Asia and the Bishop of Sabah as accused of financial misconduct. No defence for AVCF.
6. The ‘theft’ of fixed assets of the Deanery and the Bishop Lodge when the previous occupants moved out.
7. The massive deficits of the All Saints’ Cathedral of 2010 and 2011.
8. The inappropriate approval of the House of Celebration worth RM30m causing liabilities and anxieties .
9. The three massive blogs with massive crimes of AVCF are allowed to prevail or exist for its truth not lies as alleged by AVCF.
10. The sudden closure of All Saints’ Kindergarten.
11. The existence of All Saints Anglican Academy once with unqualified principal just resigned in December, 2012.
12.  The deaths of priests, pastors, and sudden resignations of clergies in ADOS affecting the mother church ASC being the major financier for decades in ADOS. (ASC had contributed at least RM5-8m since 2006)

what is the matter of change for the land title of ASC?

I hope some people inside Land office can tell me what is happening to the TL52X of ASC ?

When someone want to do a search on the title, Land office want to check the MyKad of the person and what is the reason for that.


It is common that we just pay the required charges for the copy of land title.

I suspect that the sole trustee is trying to make some change to that title possibly to sell it soon.

Can anyone in the know tell us what is happening to the land title when AVCF is on forced Sabbatical leave.?

Joshua Y. C. Kong

AVCF is really mad and unsound mind

  What is the difference of Boards and Committees in the structure of these vehicles?

Should these very important boards or committees chairmen or chairwomen be reserved for Sabahans only?

Special Attention for the Scholarship Chairman--

Is D. Lo the alleged rapist of a minor in ASC still given scholarship?  If so why no punishment?

Either AVCF is mad or all the Chairmen also mad...

They are there to see that ADOS is well managed.

Do they really know their role when all the crimes and corrupton are ongoing ?

Do be cronies of the biggest robbers in ADOS.

Diocesan Education Board Chairwomen, please confirm if the Mary Vun was qualified as principal of ASAA and now Administrator of ASAA.  Show us the records.

If the new Principal of ASAA qualified to hold that position?  Show us the record.


Is ASAA registered or licenced with the Ministry of Education?
Who actually own ASAA?

Diocesan Development Board's Chairman,
What is happening to Kokol Prayer Summit?
What is happening to the House of Celebration at ASC?

Joshua





Diocesan Boards’ Chairmen:
Diocesan Welfare & Disaster Relief Board:
Mr Wilson Rantau

Diocesan Education Board:
Datuk Mary Yap

Diocesan Vocation Committee:
Bishop John Yeo

Diocesan Mission & Church Planting Committee: Canon Chak Sen Fen

Diocesan Scholarship Board:
Rev Chin Kah Jin

Diocesan Training Committee:
Rev Lin Khee Vun

Diocesan Development Board:
Mr Chris Chiew

Who are scammers of KOKOL prayers summit?

Can ADOS continue to keep those scammers of KPS in the standing committee and SYNOD?

How much has ASC and ADOS lost in KPS through the known ROBBERS of God's money?

Please tell us the modus operandi of the trojan horses and the robbers under the chief robber AVCF.

Who actually own the KPS?  show us the OC.

Is it a WHITE elephant now?

Is it the secret hiding place for AVCF and his gang after all those SIN?

God set them free.

Dean and PCC of ASC to lodge Police Report now

 Final notice:-

This is the final notice for the said Police Report to be lodged.

Please extend me a copy of the Police Report by Fax and email by 28 February, 2013.

my fax number is 088 247823.

my email address is jknow823@gmail.com

Dear Dean Chak,

I had sent you since 1st week of January, 2013 by email and faxed you the 30 questions on ASC vis-a-vis ADOS for your attention.  But no reply or acknowledgement to my effort by you indicating you are NOT in the real position  of Dean of ASC. If you prefer to be puppet or crony of AVCF, then your choice would be untenable soon. The mess of ADOS and ASC is not cleared yet despite sort of appointment of the Mediator or facilitator or commissary both very quiet by design as they are likely impotent to handle BISHOPGATE since appointed in late January, 2013.

I intended to raise many questions and motions in ASC AGM on 24th March, 2013 which can go overnight if our members are prepared for that camping in ASC.  But one thing is for sure, you would not be able to answer all my questions but unfortunately the burden falls on you.

With the latest information from my sources, AGM ASC is too far to deal BISHOPGATE for a quick solution.  Also at the AGM, it is futile to raise so many questions and so many motions as it is an Election year as well for a marathon hours longer than the last one.  If 30 questions takes 10 minutes each (average), it would take 5 hours and if 11 motions including voting takes 10 minutes each, then 2 hours, and if we start at 2 or 3 pm on sunday, that alone would take us to 10pm.  There are other normal business at the AGM and that would take at least another 2 hours and more.  We would be past midnight.  By that time attendance would be a problem.  So if there is a need, we may have to adopt the Synod meeting over a few days to trash out all the 'rubbish' and crimes of AVCF in ASC. 

So to cut the time of AGM at ASC short to manageable normal hours say to up to 6 or 7pm or earlier, I can come to a compromise that you do something like lodging a Police Report to protect yourself for not involved with the glaring crimes of AVCF in ASC vis-a-vis ADOS.  Otherwise, don't blame me.  Take this as not a threat or a command, but a common focus to resolve BISHOPGATE to put what is wrong so far to be right.

I had given Bishop AVCF, Rector YTC and incoming dean CSF since January 2, 2013 to sort out all my 30 questions of many parts two weeks to give replies.  Todate, despite a reminder or two recently, nothing come from the threesome.

So I am giving you by 28 February from 20th February, 2013 for an appropriate response including lodging Police Report of the 12 items below (not exhaustive).  Inaction or silence  is undeniable an involvement on your part of aiding and abetting the continuous 'crimes' in ASC. I can assist you if you want information but most of that is in place of work.

God bless All Saints in this time like this.

Yours in LOVE for Christ Church,

Joshua


1. The rape of a minor in All Saints’ Cathedral ground in a children camp in August, 2011.
2. The ordination of unqualified persons including non Sabahans as priests/pastors by Bishop of Sabah;
3. The electoral rolls of ASC likely to include non Malaysians and dubious citizens with project IC.
4. The presence of several police personnel including a patrol car in the church of ASCon 29th August, 2012
5. The press report in the Church of England newspaper in January, 2013 on the corruption in the Province of South East Asia and the Bishop of Sabah as accused of financial misconduct. No defence for AVCF.
6. The ‘theft’ of fixed assets of the Deanery and the Bishop Lodge when the previous occupants moved out.
7. The massive deficits of the All Saints’ Cathedral of 2010 and 2011.
8. The inappropriate approval of the House of Celebration worth RM30m causing liabilities and anxieties .
9. The three massive blogs with massive crimes of AVCF are allowed to prevail or exist for its truth not lies as alleged by AVCF.
10. The sudden closure of All Saints’ Kindergarten.
11. The existence of All Saints Anglican Academy once with unqualified principal just resigned in December, 2012.
12.  The deaths of priests, pastors, and sudden resignations of clergies in ADOS affecting the mother church ASC being the major financier for decades in ADOS. (ASC had contributed at least RM5-8m since 2006)

Pray, Pray, Pray

Please pray for protection of the church members who have opposed BAV and his gang.

Our great GOD is great for His people who fight for God's glory in Sabah.

We have a great menace in our midst in AVCF and so be cautious in what we do.

God Judgement is on ADOS right now.

AVCF is tormented and only vengeance is in his heart, soul and mind.


Pray also for AVCF to fear God and His wrath.

Did the chief robber avcf give this order?

According to reliable source one reactor has declared that only members favouring AVCF can become PCC members.


Whose instruction is this?

The rector is a crony of avcf the biggest robber of ADOS of tens of millino ringgit...


Any rector can put this in writing.

Rape of minor in ASC ground

Confirmed - like father like son a RAPIST. Offer DNA to rebut this...


Anonymous27 August 2012 01:18

View & brotherly advise from a Criminal Lawyer
to Philip Lo.
Mr.Lo, have you educate your children on safe sex education & the morale discipline to zip up always ?
Had a police report been lodged by the victim family, a very lengthy jail sentance would have been imposed on D.Lo for statutory rape of a 16 years old girl. Her promising life has been destroyed by a ruthless young boy.
Have you sent D.Lo for counseling ?
Do you still have the moral ground to go ahead with your ordination ?

http://allsaintscathedralsabah.blogspot.com/2012/06/gods-righteouness-shall-prevail.html#comment-form

<><><>

What actually happen to this rape case?

Did AVCF lodge a Police Report?

Who is the D Lo??? 

more postings --

nonymous28 August 2012 16:12

We are a group of very concern parents and would like to ask The Rector of ASC whether it is safe to bring our childern for Cathedral activities or camps after having read about unexpected pregnancy committed by a Pastor's 16 years old boy ?

Fr: 25 fearful parents.

Reply

Replies

Anonymous28 August 2012 18:48
Some one said not to expose this news on the blog spoiling a family's reputation and breaking a family up ,why children are dragged into the crisis,but I must say what harm is there? Again sweep everything under the carpet? I can visual how much concern these 25 parents are and they want the leaders of the church to say something about the safety of their children if sent to activities and camp!These parents have a right to know.

MIGS-SABAH28 August 2012 20:43
PLEASE lodge Police report.

I can help you to lodge Police Report if you have the facts.


JOSHUA Y. C. KONG
Delete
Reply

another post ---

Anonymous30 August 2012 03:39

A email sent to Rt. Rev. Asst. Bishop John Yeo & cc to Pastor Stella Lo from a parishioner from St.Patrick - Tawau,

August 30th. 2012


Greetings in the name of Christ.


Dear Rt. Rev. Asst. Bishop Yeo,

Kindly let us have a truthful & honest answers from you on the following issues,

1/. Did you not humilated a young couple to do a Public Confession at Christ Church, Likas
for having pre marital sex ?
2/. Did you not as as young man at FT Labuan while dating your current wife also had pre
marital sex ?
3/. Did you not use St.Patrick's funds to take care of the lovebaby of the Lo's ?
4/. Why didn't you ask D.Lo to do a public confession for having sex with a teen ?
5/. Since you always projected yourself are clean, honorable and etc, etc, as a Asst.
Bishop of Sabah, why didn't you recommend to the Synod to sack the parents of
D.Lo for disgracing the Cathedral ?
6/. Will you give a written guarantee to all parents that all the children will be very safe during
all churches activities & camps ?
Look forward to your honest reply to the above issues.


F.T Lau
St.Patrick - Tawau.

 <><><>
http://itccs.org/

Who want to write to the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State (ITCCS) against AVCF and Archbishop Bolly Lapok and others in the Provincial House of Bishops in South East Asia? 


Mandate
1. To bring to trial those persons and institutions responsible for the exploitation, torture and murder of children, past and present, and
2. To stop these and other criminal actions by church and state.
Headquarters: London, England
Convening Session: Monday, September 12, 2011 in London

Cases against AVCF and others ...

Can we make a case against AVCF as Bishop of Sabah for the crimes including Rape in ADOS?

 some of the crimes (updated 19/2/13)

All Saints’ Cathedral is urged to make POLICE reports on the following matters amongst many yet to surface:-

1.     The rape of a minor in All Saints’ Cathedral ground in a children camp in August, 2011.

2.    The ordination of unqualified persons including non Sabahans as priests by Bishop of Sabah;

3.    The electoral rolls of ASC likely to include non Malaysians and dubious citizens with project IC.

4.    The presence of several police personnel including a patrol car in the church of ASCon 29^th August, 2012

5.    The press report in the Church of England newspaper in January, 2013 on the corruption in the Province of South East Asia and the Bishop of Sabah as accused of financial misconduct.

6.    The ‘theft’ of fixed assets of the Deanery and the Bishop Lodge when the previous occupants moved out.

7.    The massive deficits of the All Saints’ Cathedral of 2010 and 2011.

8.    The inappropriate approval of the House of Celebration worth RM30m.

9.     The three massive blogs with details of AVCF's crimes as confirm true are allowed to prevail or exist.

10.                       The sudden closure of All Saints’ Kindergarten.

11.                       The existence of All Saints Anglican  Academy once with unqualified principal just resigned in December, 2012.

12.  Deaths, and suffering of priest, pastors etc.

Can we make a case against Archbishop Bolly Lapok for failure to deal with AVCF for his many crimes?

[see the similar stories over Pope below]


<><><>

http://itccs.org/

Who want to write to the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State (ITCCS) against AVCF and Archbishop Bolly Lapok and others in the Provincial House of Bishops in South East Asia?   Joshua

Pope will have security, immunity by remaining in the Vatican

By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY | Fri Feb 15, 2013 1:59pm EST

(Reuters) - Pope Benedict's decision to live in the Vatican after he resigns will provide him with security and privacy. It will also offer legal protection from any attempt to prosecute him in connection with sexual abuse cases around the world, Church sources and legal experts say.
"His continued presence in the Vatican is necessary, otherwise he might be defenseless. He wouldn't have his immunity, his prerogatives, his security, if he is anywhere else," said one Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"It is absolutely necessary" that he stays in the Vatican, said the source, adding that Benedict should have a "dignified existence" in his remaining years.
Vatican sources said officials had three main considerations in deciding that Benedict should live in a convent in the Vatican after he resigns on February 28.
Vatican police, who already know the pope and his habits, will be able to guarantee his privacy and security and not have to entrust it to a foreign police force, which would be necessary if he moved to another country.
"I see a big problem if he would go anywhere else. I'm thinking in terms of his personal security, his safety. We don't have a secret service that can devote huge resources (like they do) to ex-presidents," the official said.
Another consideration was that if the pope did move permanently to another country, living in seclusion in a monastery in his native Germany, for example, the location might become a place of pilgrimage.
POTENTIAL EXPOSURE
This could be complicated for the Church, particularly in the unlikely event that the next pope makes decisions that may displease conservatives, who could then go to Benedict's place of residence to pay tribute to him.
"That would be very problematic," another Vatican official said.
The final key consideration is the pope's potential exposure to legal claims over the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals.
In 2010, for example, Benedict was named as a defendant in a law suit alleging that he failed to take action as a cardinal in 1995 when he was allegedly told about a priest who had abused boys at a U.S. school for the deaf decades earlier. The lawyers withdrew the case last year and the Vatican said it was a major victory that proved the pope could not be held liable for the actions of abusive priests.
Benedict is currently not named specifically in any other case. The Vatican does not expect any more but is not ruling out the possibility.
"(If he lived anywhere else) then we might have those crazies who are filing lawsuits, or some magistrate might arrest him like other (former) heads of state have been for alleged acts while he was head of state," one source said.
Another official said: "While this was not the main consideration, it certainly is a corollary, a natural result."
After he resigns, Benedict will no longer be the sovereign monarch of the State of Vatican City, which is surrounded by Rome, but will retain Vatican citizenship and residency.
LATERAN PACTS
That would continue to provide him immunity under the provisions of the Lateran Pacts while he is in the Vatican and even if he makes jaunts into Italy as a Vatican citizen.
The 1929 Lateran Pacts between Italy and the Holy See, which established Vatican City as a sovereign state, said Vatican City would be "invariably and in every event considered as neutral and inviolable territory".
There have been repeated calls for Benedict's arrest over sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
When Benedict went to Britain in 2010, British author and atheist campaigner Richard Dawkins asked authorities to arrest the pope to face questions over the Church's child abuse scandal.
Dawkins and the late British-American journalist Christopher Hitchens commissioned lawyers to explore ways of taking legal action against the pope. Their efforts came to nothing because the pope was a head of state and so enjoyed diplomatic immunity.
In 2011, victims of sexual abuse by the clergy asked the International Criminal Court to investigate the pope and three Vatican officials over sexual abuse.
The New York-based rights group Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and another group, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), filed a complaint with the ICC alleging that Vatican officials committed crimes against humanity because they tolerated and enabled sex crimes.
The ICC has not taken up the case but has never said why. It generally does not comment on why it does not take up cases.
NOT LIKE A CEO
The Vatican has consistently said that a pope cannot be held accountable for cases of abuse committed by others because priests are employees of individual dioceses around the world and not direct employees of the Vatican. It says the head of the church cannot be compared to the CEO of a company.

Victims groups have said Benedict, particularly in his previous job at the head of the Vatican's doctrinal department, turned a blind eye to the overall policies of local Churches, which moved abusers from parish to parish instead of defrocking them and handing them over to authorities.
The Vatican has denied this. The pope has apologized for abuse in the Church, has met with abuse victims on many of his trips, and ordered a major investigation into abuse in Ireland.
But groups representing some of the victims say the Pope will leave office with a stain on his legacy because he was in positions of power in the Vatican for more than three decades, first as a cardinal and then as pope, and should have done more.
The scandals began years before the then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope in 2005 but the issue has overshadowed his papacy from the beginning, as more and more cases came to light in dioceses across the world.
As recently as last month, the former archbishop of Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony, was stripped by his successor of all public and administrative duties after a thousands of pages of files detailing abuse in the 1980s were made public.
Mahony, who was archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 until 2011, has apologized for "mistakes" he made as archbishop, saying he had not been equipped to deal with the problem of sexual misconduct involving children. The pope was not named in that case.
In 2007, the Los Angeles archdiocese, which serves 4 million Catholics, reached a $660 million civil settlement with more than 500 victims of child molestation, the biggest agreement of its kind in the United States.
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the pope "gave the fight against sexual abuse a new impulse, ensuring that new rules were put in place to prevent future abuse and to listen to victims. That was a great merit of his papacy and for that we will be grateful".
(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Additional reporting by Robin Pomeroy; Edited by Simon Robinson and Giles Elgood)