Pope Benedict XVI has told Australians he is deeply sorry for the sexual Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Australia ...
Pro-Chavez Catholics under fire ...
False alarm as Sydney fly-past sparks attack confusion ...
Australian wreck mystery probed ...
St Vitus's cathedral definitively belongs to Czech state -court ...
Australia set new Pakistan dates ... abuse of children by some Catholic priests.

Speaking at a mass during his visit to Australia, the Pope spoke of the "shame we have all felt" and called for abusers to face justice.

He said the deeds of abusive clergymen were a great betrayal of trust, which damaged the Catholic Church.

Campaigners in Australia, who say thousands have been victims of abuse, have been calling for a full apology.

'Misdeeds'

"I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured," the Pope said, speaking at a cathedral in Sydney.

"These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation," he said.

"Those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice."

The BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney, says that 107 Catholic clergy have already been convicted over allegations of abuse.

However, the apology, which was long-awaited, will fail to satisfy the main victims' group in Australia, our correspondent says. They want to meet the Pope in person for him to make personal apologies, he adds.

Some say the Church in Australia is reluctant to admit the scale of the problem and continues to cover up abuse.

The Pope is visiting Australia to mark World Youth Day, which is drawing Catholics from around the world to the country.

(BBC)

<< Back