McGimpsey proposes abuse inquiry in North

The North's Health Minister says a state inquiry to discover the extent of historic institutional and clerical child abuse in the North should be considered.

Michael McGimpsey has proposed the investigation as damaging allegations continue to rock the Catholic Church.

Meanwhile, the Pope is preparing to sign-off on a letter to Irish Catholics dealing with clerical child abuse.

Benedict the sixteenth made the announcement during his weekly public audience on Wednesday.

It's the first time the Pope has addressed the issue of child abuse through a pastoral letter.