Metro
April 23, 2010
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/822958-catholic-bishops-apologised-over-sex-abuse-shame-rocking-the-church
 |
| The Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, reads out an apology for the child abuse scandals |
Joint statement issued today by Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols offers 'no excuses' and states the abuse 'is a grievous sin against God'.
Catholic bishops apologised today and said there were ‘no excuses’ for the child sexual abuse scandals that have rocked the church.
A statement described the crimes carried out by some priests and religious figures as a ‘profound scandal’ and said: ‘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.
‘We ask their pardon and the pardon of God for these terrible deeds. There are no excuses.’
The joint statement was issued by the Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols on behalf of bishops of England and Wales at the Bishops’ Conference and will go out to all parishes. It said the church would work with the authorities to ensure steps were taken to protect against any further abuse.
The pope yesterday made his first public remarks calling for change since the crisis erupted.
During his weekly audience in St Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict pledged the church would take action to confront the clerical sex abuse scandal.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.