Catholic bishops deliver full apology for child sex abuse

Catholic bishops in England and Wales have issued an unprecedented apology for the "terrible" child sex abuse crimes which they said had brought "deep shame" to their whole church.

The bishops said in a statement that the offences committed by some priests were a "profound scandal" and a "grievous sin" which had inflicted "severe and lasting wounds" upon their victims.

They deeply regretted the "failings" of some bishops and religious leaders in responding and spoke of their "deep sorrow" at the way some victims had been "ignored, disbelieved or betrayed".

The bishops' apology follows the worldwide controversy over abuse scandals in countries including Ireland, Germany and Malta and their alleged cover-up by Catholic leaders, including Pope Benedict.

Britain's most senior Catholic, the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, has already expressed his regret but today's statement by the bishops goes even further in spelling out their remorse.

Describing the abuse cases as "terrible crimes", the bishops said the impact on the "universal" Catholic church has been severe and requires repentance.

"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.

"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."

The bishops, whose statement will be distributed in every Catholic parish in England and Wales this weekend, said that they would also be praying for Pope Benedict whose "wise and courageous leadership is so important", but conceded that their church's leadership had sometimes failed to tackle the abuse scandals properly.

The bishops, who are led by the Archbishop of Westminster, said that each of the four Fridays in May would be "special days of prayer" on which Catholics would be asked to pray for the victims and those who had committed the "sins" of abuse.