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	Pope Benedict XVI Meets Clergy Abuse Victims WYD Herald Sun July 21, 2008 http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24049735-661,00.html POPE Benedict XVI has met Australian victims of clergy sex abuse in a surprise move on the last morning of his Australian visit. The victims and their supporters joined the Pope for mass at St Mary's Cathedral at 7am, before meeting with him for up to half an hour in a last-minute addition to the 81-year-old's itinerary. The Pope was scheduled to leave Australia at 10am (AEST) today after bringing World Youth Day (WYD) to a close yesterday with a huge open-air mass at Randwick Racecourse. A statement from the Vatican said the pontiff had held the meeting to again demonstrate his deep concern, following his apology to sex abuse victims on Saturday. "As an expression of his ongoing pastoral concern for those who have been abused by members of the clergy, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today celebrated Mass with a representative group of victims," the statement said. "He listened to their stories and offered them consolation. "Assuring them of his spiritual closeness, he promised to continue to pray for them, their families and all victims. "Through this paternal gesture, the Holy Father wished to demonstrate again his deep concern for all those who have suffered sexual abuse." On Saturday, the pope deviated from a prepared homily during a service at St Mary's Cathedral to add an apology to minors who had suffered abuse at the hands of clergy. "Indeed I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that, as their pastor, I too share in their suffering," the pontiff said. "These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. "Those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice. It is an urgent priority to promote a safer and more wholesome environment, especially for young people."
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