SPAIN
RTE News
Ten Spanish priests have been charged with child sexual abuse in a case which court documents show was brought after Pope Francis telephoned the victim to offer the church’s apology.
The victim, now 24, wrote to the pope to say he had been molested when he was an altar boy.
In November, Spanish news site Religion Digital reported that the pope called the man last August to apologise, and Francis himself later confirmed this.
Francis also said in November that he had ordered an internal church investigation.
Archbishop of Granada Francisco Javier Martinez removed several priests linked to the case from their duties.
The Granada court said the victim claims the abuse began when he was 14 and lasted until he turned 17.
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