Sometimes we do not understand that others do not understand. We may be tempted to think that it is a problem of others, and perhaps it is partly so, but not entirely so. This is why it is necessary to purify our report, to examine our conscience, to recognize the facts or omissions before God and others, and, from there, to work for charity in truth. The truth," said Benedict XVI, using Newman as an example, "is transmitted not only by the formal teaching , however important it may be, but also by the witness of a life of integrity, fidelity and holiness".

Once again, during his trip to the United Kingdom, the Pope confronted the abuse of minors by clerics. And he has done so with special foresight and coherence.

He alluded to that topic already at the beginning of the trip, when he was asked how he intended to contribute to restore the confidence of the faithful in the Church. He said that for him it had been "a shock, a great sadness", difficult to assimilate and understand. Once again he regretted "that the authority of the Church was not sufficiently vigilant and sufficiently swift and decisive to take the necessary measures". And for all of this - and pay attention to these luminous words - "we are in a moment of penitence, of humility, of renewed sincerity".

He returned to it at the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Christ (Westminster), at the foot of a large crucifix: "Christ," he said, "crushed by suffering, overwhelmed by sorrow, an innocent victim whose death has reconciled us with the Father and made us sharers in the very life of God. And he recalled that the Eucharist is precisely the sacramental update of the sacrifice of the Cross.

But Christ is not only in the Eucharist, but also "in the life of the Church, in her trials and tribulations, Christ continues, according to Pascal's brilliant expression, to be in agony until the end of the world".

Where do you see this? It is not a question of any theory. First of all, eloquently, in "the martyrs of all times" who united their sacrifice to that of Christ. It is also reflected in so many Christians throughout the world "who even today suffer discrimination and persecution for their faith". Likewise, "often in a hidden way, in the suffering of every Christian who daily unites their sacrifices to those of the Lord for the sanctification of the Church and the redemption of the world..., in particular, the sick, the elderly, the disabled and those who suffer mentally and spiritually".

And precisely in this context, the Pope - Vicar of Christ - returned to the thorny issue of abuse: "I am thinking also of the immense suffering caused by the abuse of minors, especially by ministers of the Church". He again asked forgiveness of the victims and acknowledged the shame and humiliation suffered "because of these sins"; and, he added, "I invite you to present them to the Lord, trusting that this punishment will contribute to the healing of the victims, to the purification of the Church and to the renewal of her inveterate commitment to Education and the care of young people". The following day, he reminded the bishops of England, Wales and Scotland of similar arguments.

From what has happened and from the way Benedict XVI has been dealing with it, there are many lessons for Christians and for everyone. In the face of things that are not understood but that can be related to one's own errors, these are the remedies: penance, humility, sincerity. That is to say: recognizing the truth and rectifying before God and before those whom we may have offended, is a condition for rediscovering a new light and starting again on a more plenary session of the Executive Council, more authentic path.

Christianity is not a mere doctrine, nor is it a mere set of rules - a code - nor is it an invitation to obey a law that comes from outside the human heart. It is a vital union with a person: Christ. For this reason, when we do not understand how something could have happened - in which we may have been mistaken - or when we cannot get others to understand us, it is not enough to turn to a doctrine or to invoke some norms, some rights or duties, or to go ahead in a voluntaristic or stoic way; we must start again from the truth (which includes reason) and love. And that costs. It cost Christ the sacrifice of the Cross.

A wise theologian has pointed out that Christ's pedagogy can be found at sample particularly in his advertisement of the Last Judgment, when he spoke of the omissions of love in caring for the poor and needy. On the Cross he manifested the greatest love that could ever exist for each person and for the whole world. Thus He conquered and thus He taught the way of light and of Life.