Pope Francis on Monday
voiced "shame and repentance" on the latest clerical sex abuse
scandal that has rocked the Catholic Church, saying authorities
had acted too late.
In a letter to the People of God, Francis said "with shame
and repentance, as an ecclesiastical community, we admit that we
did not go where we should have gone, that we did not act in
time recognising the scope and gravity of the damage that was
being caused to so many lives".
He said "We neglected and abandoned the little ones".
The pope said priestly sex abuse of children is a crime that
"generates deep wounds".
Francis said "we ask forgiveness" for the "atrocities"
committed in priestly sex abuse of minors.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA