AUSTRALIA
SBS
20 MAY 2013, 8:18 PM – SOURCE: AAP
Melbourne’s Catholic archbishop has apologised to abuse victims over what he says is one of the darkest periods in the church’s history.
Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart has taken responsibility for the sexual abuse of children by priests and says hearts are heavy with a deep sense of shame about their crimes.
Archbishop Hart says the scandal is one of the saddest times in his priesthood and one of the darkest chapters in the church’s history.
He told a Victorian parliamentary inquiry on Monday he would work with the community on “the eradication of this awful evil”.
“Hearts are heavy with a deep sense of shame and dismay about the crimes of sexual abuse by those who were supposed to represent Christ to them,” Archbishop Hart said.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.