VATICAN CITY
BBC News
Pope Francis has called for “decisive action” in the fight against sex abuse of minors by priests.
He told Bishop Gerhard Mueller, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith – the doctrinal watchdog that deals with sex abuse cases – to ensure perpetrators were punished.
It was the Argentine Pope’s first public statement on clerical sex abuse.
He was elected last month, replacing Pope Emeritus Benedict, who became the first pope in 600 years to resign.
When first elected, Benedict XVI promised to rid his Church of the “filth” of clerical sex abuse, but critics accused him of covering up abuse in the past and failing to protect children from paedophile priests.
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