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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist An unprecedented number of priests are applying to the Vatican to attend the Worldwide Gathering of Priests, scheduled to take place in Rome in June, in order to show their support for Pope Benedict XVI. ANSA is reporting that so many priests are applying to attend the three-day event on June 9-11 that the Congregation for the Clergy, the Vatican department in charge of the event, has decided to extend the deadline for applications until May 17. The gathering, which was to be the climax for the year-long celebration of the priesthood that began last year on the feast of St. John Vianney, promises to be a spectacular show of solidarity with the Pope who has been particularly attacked by the worldwide media for his handling of the abuse scandals both before and after becoming Pope. Cardinal Claudio Hummes, head of the Congregation for the Clergy, urged priests to turn out in force on the last three days of the Year of Priests to show "solidarity, support, confidence and unconditional communion in the face of frequent attacks on (the pope).” Apparently, the world’s priests are planning to answer this call with record numbers expected in Rome this June. © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com