By CECILY ASSON Wednesday, March 31 2010

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In memory of: Pope Benedict XVI handles a staff with crucifix during a memorial Mass at St Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, to mark the fifth anniver...

Chairman of the Social Justice Commission Leela Ramdeen on Monday joined Roman Catholic priest Fr Kenneth Assing in mourning for a church that has been “disfigured” by mounting allegations of sex abuse made against several priests.

“The actions of a few have tarnished an entire church when in fact there are millions of Catholics around the world doing good work,” Ramdeen, an attorney, told Newsday.

“We have been betrayed by those who have been put in a position of trust.”

Assing, in his Palm Sunday homily at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port-of-Spain told parishioners the Catholic Church had been disfigured by the international clerical sex abuse scandal.

Ramdeen called for priests who are guilty of such actions to immediately “repent” and remove themselves from the priesthood. “It is too much,” she said.

As chairman of the Social Justice Commission, Ramdeen said she has never had any reports of sexual abuse occurring in the local church.

She said, “If that was the case, I must tell you I would have ensured that some kind of action is taken against such priests. The time has come for us to stand up and be counted.”

Saying that she has kept quiet on the issue for too long, Ramdeen told Newsday, accusing fingers are being pointed at every member of the Catholic Church.

“The allegations affect us all,” she went on. “We all have to pray for the perpetrators of these alleged crimes.

A priest, however, must know that if you are not prepared to change your ways, then move away from your role, as that position is one of trust. We all look up to a priest, he is no ordinary man. He is prophet and king and such actions are defaming the word of God.”

Ramdeen said when confronted with contentious issues such as the sex scandal which has led to mounting calls for Pope Benedict XVI to resign, she uses her “litmus test”.

“My litmus test is what would Jesus do in a situation like this. I know Jesus would not condone such behaviour and he would have taken the sternest action. We all have to pray for the perpetrators. God is merciful and those guilty of such crimes must come to him with a humble and contrite heart. And if you are not prepared to change, them remove yourself from the church.”

Ramdeen said God is “compassionate” and the church believes in reconciliation.

“So offenders must reconcile with God and move away from their role.”