SOUTH AFRICA
Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG – The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has condemned sexual abuse on all levels, responding to controversial comments by Catholic Archbishop of Durban Wilfrid Napier on paedophilia.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 on Friday, Napier described paedophilia as a psychological illness and not a criminal condition.
He then said paedophiles that were abused as children do not deserve to be punished because they themselves are “damaged”.
While the conference said it had not yet heard or read a transcript of the interview, and therefore could not react, it released a statement, saying it believes paedophilia is a crime and said perpetrators must face the legal system.
“Paedophilia is de facto a criminal offence and we will comply with the legal requirements when such cases come to our attention. Perpetrators must take responsibility for their actions.”
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