English Church leader under fire over handling of abuse cases

THE leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales was under renewed pressure yesterday after new claims emerged over his handling of allegations of paedophilia against priests.

The BBC Radio 4 Today programme has said it has been told of more allegations relating to eight priests who were working under Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor when he was bishop of Arundel and Brighton.

These allegations have been revealed after Fr Michael Hill, 68, pleaded guilty on Monday at the Old Bailey to six charges of indecent assault on three boys aged between 10 and 14 years.