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Pope issues apology on Net

By Richard Owen

23 November 2001 - The Pope apologised yesterday to victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy in his first message to bishops via the Internet.

The apology comes after the resignation last month of the Archbishop of Cardiff, the Most Rev John Aloysius Ward, following Vatican criticism of his handling of the cases of two paedophile priests. In an Internet message to bishops in Oceania, which includes Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands, the Pope, 81, said that sexual abuse by some clergy had caused great suffering and spiritual harm to the victims.

He said that it was damaging to the Church and had become an obstacle to the proclamation of the Gospel. The Church was seeking "open and just" procedures for complaints. He also apologised for Church behaviour towards Aboriginals.

The above article appeared in The Times

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