AUSTRALIA
WA Today

July 12, 2012

AAP

Allegations of past sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church have been appallingly handled, opposition leader Tony Abbott says.

Mr Abbott, a prominent Catholic, says a series of allegations which are only now coming to light are “absolutely horrific” but he believes things have improved since the abuse occurred.

“There’s no doubt that these things have been appallingly badly handled in the past,” he told the Macquarie Radio Network on Thursday.

“Thank God we’re now alive to these things and much, much better, though still far from perfect, at dealing with them.