VARIOUS FILE: Pope Benedict XVI begs for forgiveness following hundreds of cases of child abuse by priests

Record ID: 334797

  • Title: VARIOUS FILE: Pope Benedict XVI begs for forgiveness following hundreds of cases of child abuse by priests
  • Date: 12th June 2010
  • Summary: BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES (FILE) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHURCH INTERIORS MASS IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 27th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAEE26NUGNQS7TBVKD8GIU8S6TM
  • Story Text: Pope Benedict on Friday (June 11) begged forgiveness from God and victims of child sexual abuse by priests and promised that the Catholic Church would do everything in its power to ensure that it never happens again.
    The pope made his comments, some of his clearest ever about the sexual abuse scandal that has swept the Church around the world, during a homily in St Peter's Square to conclude the Roman Catholic Church's "Year of the Priest" celebrations.
    Hundreds of cases of sexual and physical abuse of youths in recent decades by priests have come to light in Europe and the United States as disclosures encourage long-silent victims to finally go public with their complaints.
    Five bishops in Europe have already resigned. One has admitted sexual abuse, another is under investigation and three have stepped down over their handling of abuse cases.
    The Vatican has been accused by its critics of persistently covering up cases of sexual abuse, a charge that it strongly denies.
    The pope himself has been accused of turning a blind eye in 1980, when he was archbishop of Munich in his native Germany, to the case of a priest who was sent there for therapy after sexually abusing children and soon transferred to parish work.
    The Vatican has said a subordinate took that decision.
    A poll two months ago in Germany showed that a majority of people had lost confidence in the Church and about a quarter of the country's Catholics are considering quitting.
    In Ireland the pope released a letter apologising to victims of child sex abuse by clergy and ordered an official inquiry there to try to stem a scandal.
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