Pope condemns child abusers

Published on Monday 8 February 2010 21:40

POPE Benedict XVI condemned the abuse of children by priests yesterday, saying the Church would never stop deploring such behaviour.

For centuries, the Catholic Church has shown its commitment to loving children and ensuring their basic human rights are respected, Benedict said.

"Unfortunately, in some cases some of its members… have violated these rights, a behaviour that the church hasn't, and won't ever, stop deploring and condemning," he said.

Benedict is finalising a letter to the Irish faithful concerning Ireland's massive church sex abuse and cover-up scandal.