Australian church finds 100s of sex abuse cases.
- 12 years ago
Roman Catholic clergy in Australia's Victoria state have confirmed a long history of sexual abuse.
On Friday, Church officials confirmed up to 620 cases of child abuse, some dating back to the 1930s.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SPOKESMAN SHANE MACKINLAY SAYING:
"The number is really awful there's no doubt about that."
The Church said 74 clergy members in Melbourne were involved in the abuse, and that most of the crimes were committed in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SPOKESMAN SHANE MACKINLAY SAYING:
"Where there was absolutely dramatic and appalling rates of abuse in the 1970s and 1980s, that's dropped off extraordinarily."
The Vatican - hit by a wave of sex abuse cases across the globe - has also called for an inquiry into the crimes.
On Friday, Church officials confirmed up to 620 cases of child abuse, some dating back to the 1930s.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SPOKESMAN SHANE MACKINLAY SAYING:
"The number is really awful there's no doubt about that."
The Church said 74 clergy members in Melbourne were involved in the abuse, and that most of the crimes were committed in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SPOKESMAN SHANE MACKINLAY SAYING:
"Where there was absolutely dramatic and appalling rates of abuse in the 1970s and 1980s, that's dropped off extraordinarily."
The Vatican - hit by a wave of sex abuse cases across the globe - has also called for an inquiry into the crimes.