Sky News
July 13, 2008
http://www.skynews.com.au/news/article.aspx?id=248980
The Catholic Church of Australia has welcomed plans by the Pope to publicly apologise at World Youth Day for sexual abuse by priests but has stopped short of saying it will follow his lead.
 |
Pope Benedict's due to land in Sydney at 3pm (AEST) today, days after claims by victim Anthony Jones that Australia's senior Catholic leader, Sydney Archbishop George Pell, had dismissed his allegations of indecent assault against a priest who was later convicted of the crimes.
World Youth Day coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher says the Catholic Church of Australia welcomes the Holy Father's word of compassion and of leadership with respect to the victims of sexual abuse.
But he wouldn't say if Cardinal Pell or the local church have plans for a public apology.
He says the church is happy to listen to advice on its handling of complaints of sexual abuse by priests.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.