AUSTRALIA
Illawarra Mercury
Victims’ support groups say the Catholic Church could be preparing to acknowledge its involvement in historic child sexual abuse in Australia after Cardinal George Pell apologised to those who ‘‘suffered at the hands’’ of priests.
In a Christmas message, the Australian church’s most senior cleric said he was ‘‘deeply sorry’’ for the hurt that had occurred, describing it as ‘‘completely contrary’’ to Christ’s teachings.
But he stopped short of specifically mentioning allegations of child sex abuse by members of the clergy.
‘‘I feel too the shock and shame across the community at these revelations of wrongdoing and crimes,’’ Cardinal Pell said.
His apology came after the federal government this year announced a royal commission to the response of institutions, including the church, to cases of child sexual abuse in Australia.
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