Cardinal Connell plea for forgiveness

CARDINAL Desmond Connell has asked for forgiveness from child sex abuse victims who suffered at the hands of paedophile priests under his control.

The senior cleric said he was distressed and bewildered that those in such a sacred position could be responsible for the heinous crimes.

The frail 83-year-old, who was among four archbishops criticised for not handing over information to authorities on abusers, said the abuse of children was an unspeakable crime.