I suppose that quietly, behind the scenes, his Holiness will call upon his vassal, the Friar of the Order and demand this practice stop. I can assure you, public acknowledgement of wrongdoing by members of the clergy will not be allowed to continue.

It's not that they don't know that their members that were the offenders were wrong. It has to do with the derivation of the power they wield. On a whole host of issues, including the right of the layity to read the bible directly, the Church speaks from 2000 years of tradition, upon the presumption that it cannot be wrong. For them to come forward and publicly admit wrongdoing will dismantle the last power structure they have in place, the assumption they are always right. They cannot afford to lose that and, will not allow it.