Pope Benedict XVI apologized Saturday for the sexual abuse of children by Australia's Roman Catholic clergy, keeping up efforts begun in the United States to publicly atone for what he called evil acts by priests. The apology did not satisfy representatives of the victims. They said it must be backed by Vatican orders to Australian bishops to stop alleged efforts to cover up the extent of the problem and block attempts to win compensation. "I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them as their pastor that I too share in their suffering," Benedict said in Mass in Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral. He said he wanted "to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt" and called for those responsible to be "brought to justice." He called the acts "evil" and a "grave betrayal of trust" and said the abuse scandal had badly damaged the church. The German-born pope has expressed regret before about the clergy abuse scandal that has rocked the church in recent years - notably during a U.S. visit in April when he also met privately with a small number of victims. But the language of Saturday's apology was stronger than his comments in the United States. Ever since the pope's trip to Australia was announced two years ago, victims' groups here have been demanding he make an apology - something popes have historically been wary of doing. Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said the pope added the wor ...
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