Benedict Resigns

Before formally resigning from his post at the end of February, Pope Benedict should use the power of his office to take "tangible action" to safeguard children from sexually abusive priests, states the largest U.S. group for clergy sex abuse survivors.

"No matter how tired or weak Pope Benedict may be, he still has two weeks to use his vast power to protect youngsters," the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said in a statement this morning.

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI is a "holy shakeup" in the Catholic church, states one of the associations for women who wish to be ordained as Catholic priests.

"The Pope’s resignation is a positive sign that the Spirit is at work renewing the church," states the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests in a statement.

 The pope's resignation is a "sign of his great care for the Church," the president of the U.S. bishops' conference, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, said in a statement this morning.

"We are sad that he will be resigning but grateful for his eight years of selfless leadership as successor of St. Peter," wrote Dolan at the U.S. bishops' conference website.

Dolan's full statement, available here, follows:

Statement of Cardinal Timothy Dolan