Bishops Issue Apology Over 'Profound Scandal'

The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have issued an apology referring to the abuse of children by members of the clergy as a "profound scandal".

The unexpected statement of apology, which was hammered out during a plenary meeting in Leeds, comes ahead of a visit by the Pope to the UK expected sometime this year.

Today's statement speaks of "terrible crimes" and the "inadequate response by some church leaders".

The statement said: "The criminal offences committed by some priests and religious are a profound scandal. They bring deep shame to the whole church. But shame is not enough. The abuse of children is a grievous sin against God. Therefore we focus not on shame but on our sorrow for these sins.

"They are the personal sins of only a very few. But we are bound together in the Body of Christ and, therefore, their sins touch us all.

"We express our heartfelt apology and deep sorrow to those who have suffered abuse, those who have felt ignored, disbelieved or betrayed.

"We ask their pardon, and the pardon of God for these terrible deeds done in our midst. There can be no excuses."

This week has seen a number of Bishops leaving their positions over the ongoing abuse scandal.

In today's address from the Vatican, it was revealed that Pope Benedict XVI had accepted the resignation of James Moriarty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.

Moriarty, 73, who was auxiliary bishop of Dublin from 1991 to 2002, had tendered his resignation in December, when he also apologised to the victims and their families.

Meanwhile in Washington USA, a Colombian cardinal has been dropped as the main celebrant of a special Mass this week following protests by Church abuse victims.

Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos was to preside over a Latin Mass at the National Basilica marking the fifth anniversary of the Pope's inauguration.

Abuse victims had complained that the cardinal praised a French bishop for not denouncing a paedophile priest.

Yesterday, the Holy See promised "church action" to tackle the clerical child sex abuse scandal, in a new bid to placate victims and restore public confidence in the Church.

In his weekly public audience in St Peter's Square in Rome, Pope Benedict said he told victims on a recent trip to Malta he "shared their suffering...assuring them of church action".

The Vatican said the Pope met eight Maltese men who claim priests abused them as children, and promised "effective measures" to protect the young. He has been accused of failing to respond adequately to Irish and German cases.

(DW/BMcC)