World News joined 1

[Black Widow]

Pope Benedict has landed in Australia where he will apologise for a sexual abuse scandal that rocked the Roman Catholic Church in the country.

His visit is expected to be marred by protests from victims of abuse, who claim it still goes on.

But the Pope said everything possible would be done to prevent a recurrence.

"It is essential for the Church to reconcile, to prevent, to help and also to see (its) guilt," he said.

"It must be clear. Being a priest is incompatible with this behaviour because priests are in the service of our Lord.

"We have to reflect on what was insufficient and our education and our teaching (of priests). This is the essential content of what we will say (as we) apologise.

"We will do everything possible to heal and reconcile with victims".

The issue of sexual abuse of minors by priests has been a major scandal in several countries around the world.

When he visited the US last April, Pope Benedict spoke repeatedly about the "shame" the scandal had wrought on the Catholic Church.

He also met with abuse victims.

Broken Rites, a group which represents abuse victims in Australia, has a list of 107 convictions for sexual abuse but says the real number is higher and only a handful go to court.

Victims say the Catholic Church in Australia continues to cover up abuse by clergy despite issuing an apology for past abuse and compensation.


sky news

[JohnCenaFan28]

Thanks for the read.