BRITAIN
Christian Today
Posted: Wednesday, June 29 , 2005, 7:41 (UK)
A report released by the Catholic Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults has revealed that allegations of child abuse that have taken place in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales have increased by 50 percent last year.
The third annual report recorded 62 allegations of abuse in 2003, but this jumped to 100 last year. The 100 incidents involved 153 victims. There were 111 cases of sexual abuse, 14 of physical abuse and 11 of child pornography.
Over half the incidents of alleged abuse took place last year involved priests, while the rest were charged against employees, volunteers and parishioners. Out of the 17 incidents that involved priests, 10 were regards to sexual abuse.
The Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, who chairs the child protection management board, responded to the figures. Speaking to Times, he admitted that he was disappointed with the religious people who are involved in these scandals.
"As a bishop I am always upset when a priest or religious or someone who has been trusted with a role within the Church misbehaves in a particular way. What upsets me far more is the abuse of youngsters."