Pope apologises to abuse victims
He raised the issue during a ceremony to consecrate the altar of St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, where the Pope has been participating in World Youth Day (WYD) activities.
“Here I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy and religious in this country,” Pope Benedict said in his homily.
“Indeed I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that, as their pastor, I too share in their suffering.
“These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. They have caused great pain, they have damaged the church’s witness.”
He called on his audience of 3400 people, including Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell, bishops, seminarians and religious and school groups, to work together in “combating this evil”.
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