Singer criticizes Catholic church

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill took time during the taping of a Christmas concert for television over the weekend in Vatican City to criticize the Catholic church about priests who have abused children, saying there is “no acceptable explanation for defending the church.”

Hill’s comments were picked up and translated by several Italian newspapers, one of which, La Repubblica, quoted her as telling her audience, “I realize some of you may be offended by what I’m saying, but what do you say to the families who were betrayed by the people in whom they believed?”

Top Catholic officials at the concert included Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the pope’s vicar for Rome and the head of the Italian bishops’ conference, and his deputy, Monsignor Rino Fisichella. Pope John Paul II, whose health has been deteriorating, did not attend.

Hill’s label, Columbia Records, had no comment Monday.

Randy Lewis