Pope Francis expressed dismay
and apologised on behalf of the Catholic Church in the preface
to a new book by Swiss writer Daniel Pittet about the sexual
abused committed by one priest.
"How can a priest, serving Christ and His Church, come to
cause so much hurt?," the pope asked in the preface, which
Rome-based daily La Repubblica picked up on Monday on its front
page.
Francis asked forgiveness for all pedophile priests, who he
said were guilty of "an absolute monstrosity, a horrendous sin".
He added it was the Church's duty to be extremely severe with
priests who betray their mission in this way and with any
superiors who protect them.
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