Australia

Pope apologizes for sex scandals, but victims say 'not enough'

Article published on the 2008-07-19 Latest update 2008-07-19 09:40 TU

Activists in Sydney protest against pope visit
(Credit: Reuters)

Pope Benedict XVI issued a full-fledged public apology on Saturday for the priest sex abuse scandals that have rocked Australia, but victims and rights groups claim his efforts are not enough. The pontiff strayed from his prepared remarks to Catholic bishops and clergy at Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral to address the issue.

 This is considered his strongest apology ever for the scandals that have put a financial and moral strain on the Catholic Church.

"I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that, as their pastor, I too share in their suffering," he said.

The pope is in Sydney for the six-day Roman Catholic celebration World Youth Day.

This mia culpa is not sufficient, according to Chris McIsaac, spokesperson for  Broken Rites, a support group representing Australian victims.

"Sorry may be a start but we want to see a lot more," she said, adding that she didn't want to see victims re-abused by the Church.

The parents of two girls abused by a priest in Melbourne called the apology disappointing.

"They are only words," said Anthony Foster, one of the parents. "It is simply an apology, there is nothing practical there which is what we were looking for," he added.

Their 26-year-old daugther committed suicide this year after being haunted by the abuse, and her younger sister turned to drink. She is now permanently brain-damaged after being hit by a car while drunk.

Broken Rites says 107 Catholic priests and religious brothers have been sentenced in Australian courts on sex charges.

Earlier Saturday, thousands of pilgrims made a nine-kilometre walk through the streets of Sydney to participate in a vigil with the pope. During the walk through Oxford Street, the primarily gay district of Sydney, pilgrims were pelted by condoms thrown by protesters of the pope's visit.