Pope ‘deeply disturbed and distressed’ by abuse revelations

THE Pope has said he was deeply disturbed and distressed by the findings of a sickening child sex abuse inquiry and plans to write a letter to the Catholics of Ireland.

After meeting Ireland’s most senior Catholic clerics in Rome, Pope Benedict said he shared the outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in the country.

In a statement issued by the Vatican, the Pontiff said he discussed the harrowing detail and cover-up of allegations against priests in the Dublin Archdiocese as detailed in the inquiry report with Cardinal Seán Brady and Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.