AUSTRALIA
Radio New Zealand

The head of the Roman Catholic church in Australia, Archbishop George Pell, has used his Christmas message to apologise to all those who’ve suffered at the hands of Christian priests and teachers.

He said he, too, felt shock and shame at the revelations of such crimes and wrongdoing.

He says it goes against the teachings of Jesus and Christians need faith in God’s goodness and love to cope with these disasters.

Where there is evil, there is less peace, says the Archbishop.