Dozens of former altar boys who sued the US Catholic Church in Vermont over allegations of sexual abuse by priests 30 years ago will share in a settlement of nearly $18m (€14.3m).

THE number of new child sex abuse allegations against Roman Catholic clergy in the US and Church payouts for clerical sex abuse cases fell sharply last year, a report commissioned by US bishops said Tuesday.

The Vatican today rejected the US Church’s new sex abuse policy, saying the sweeping zero-tolerance measures needed revising.

US Catholic Church today began the holiest week of its year with its leading cleric promising to get tough on child-abusing priests.