Head of German Church apologises

THE head of Germany’s Catholic Church apologised to victims of child abuse by priests and said after meeting Pope Benedict yesterday the pontiff had encouraged him to press ahead with tough new measures.

Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, head of the German Bishops’ Conference, vowed the German Church would take steps to investigate numerous allegations of abuse in Catholic institutions, to counsel victims and to prevent any recurrence.

But, amid calls within the Church for a discussion of celibacy, Zollitsch strongly denied it was to blame, echoing comments made earlier in the day by the pope himself.