Arts & Culture
(2010-03-12)
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the 85th birthday of his brother, Monsignor Ratzinger, in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican
Germany's top bishop has informed Pope Benedict XVI about cases of clerical sex abuse in the pontiff's native Germany and said the pope encouraged him to pursue the truth and assist the victims.
Archbishop Robert Zollitsch said the pope was greatly dismayed and deeply moved as he was being briefed on the scandal during Friday's meeting at the Vatican.
At least 170 former students from Catholic schools in Germany have come forward recently with claims of physical and sexual abuse, including at an all-boys choir once led by the pope's brother.
Zollitsch also said he briefed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on measures implemented in Germany, and that the Vatican is considering a set of universal norms to deal with cases of clerical sex abuse. © Copyright 2012, Associated Press
