As a child, Bernie McDaid was one of 50 boys sexually abused by Reverend Joseph Birmingham, the Catholic priest in charge of their local parish. McDaid, along with several other victims, made public accusations of Birmingham in the early 2000's. Their stories were a significant part of the sexual abuse scandal that rocked the Catholic Church and Bernie McDaid emerged as a spokesman for many of the victims.

On April 17, 2008 McDaid met with Pope Benedict XVI, who was in the middle of a historic Visit to the United States, to discuss his experiences and disappointments. In the private meeting, Pope Benedict is reported to have listened intently and offered a silent acknowledgment of McDaid and other victim's statements. In a homily given earlier that day, Pope Benedict stated that "it is in the context of this hope, born of God's love and fidelity, that I acknowledge the pain which the church in America has experienced as the result of sexual abuse of minors...no words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse. It is important that those who have suffered be given loving pastoral attention."

1. Was repeatedly abused by a local parish priest as a child
2. His story was part of the many accusations of sexual abuse made against Catholic clergy in the early 2000's
3. Has emerged as a spokesman for many victims of the scandal
4. On April 17, 2008 met with Pope Benedict to discusses his story
5. Pope Benedict listened and offered silent acknowledgment of the victim's stories