UNITED KINGDOM
The Tablet

07 March 2014 by James Roberts

Pope Francis has been criticised by victims’ groups for what they say is an inadequate response to questions about clerical child abuse that he gave in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Wednesday.

“The Catholic Church is probably the only public institution to act with transparency and responsibility [on the issue],” the Pope claimed. “No one has done more. And yet the Church is the only one to be attacked.”

Victims’ advocates said his tone was reminiscent of the defensive rhetoric adopted by the Vatican 10 years ago.

“Under Pope Francis the Vatican continues to deny its role in creating and maintaining a culture where upholding the reputation of the Church is prioritised over the safety of children,” said Maeve Lewis, executive director of the Irish victims’ support group One in Four.

Unlike his predecessor…