German church apologises for abuse

VATICAN CITY, Saturday

The head of Germany’s Catholic Church apologised to victims of child abuse by priests on Friday and met Pope Benedict who encouraged him to press ahead with tough new measures.

Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, head of the German Bishops’ Conference, said his church would investigate numerous allegations of abuse in Catholic institutions, as well as counselling victims and taking measures to prevent abuse in the future.

But, amid calls within the Roman Catholic faith for a discussion of celibacy, Zollitsch strongly denied it was to blame, echoing comments made earlier in day by the pope himself.

“The German bishops are dismayed by what has happened and the acts of violence against children,” Zollitsch said after a 45-minute private audience with the pope. “A few weeks ago I asked forgiveness from the victims, something which I must repeat today in Rome.”

Zollitsch said he had briefed Benedict about the situation in Germany, where more than 100 reports have emerged of abuse at Catholic institutions, including one linked to the prestigious Regensburg choir run by the pope’s brother from 1964 to 1994.

In a fresh development in Germany, the pope’s former diocese in Bavaria said he was involved in a decision in 1980 to move a priest there who was suspected of child abuse.

Zollitsch said he informed the pope of the German church’s plans on the crisis, including the appointment of a special representative on abuse, and Benedict had encouraged them.