Pope Benedict Xvi - O'connor Demands Answers Over Pope's Child Abuse Comments

During his traditional Christmas speech in Rome on Monday (20Dec10), the Pontiff addressed the recent scandal of alleged paedophilia in the Catholic Church and angered campaigners by insisting child porn is starting to be considered "more normal by society".

He also remarked that paedophilia was "theorised as something fully in conformity" in the 1970s - and O'Connor has now penned an open letter demanding the religious leader explain his controversial comments, according to IrishCentral.com.

She writes, "Sir, Some burning questions arise from the following statement you made in your Christmas address to your cardinals on December 20 regarding how it came to pass that the house of the Holy Spirit became a haven for criminals of a sexual nature. (You said) 'In the 1970s paedophilia was theorised as something fully in conformity with man and even with children.' Please deign to respond to this letter directly and personally and put aside all the pomp and titles...

"Exactly who held the theory that paedophilia was fully in conformity with man and with children? Please give us their names. Exactly when did they hold this theory? Exactly when if ever did they cease holding the theory? Why was this information not given to victims?

Why was it never given to any commissions of enquiry or civil authorities? Why in all the years since these scandals broke out was yesterday the first mention of this information?

"It is highly disrespectful of the victims that you would throw this out as an aside remark and not present yourself for questioning on such a very serious piece of information which would be key in the potential recovery of the church."

In 1992, O'Connor caused a storm when she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live.