Pope tells bishops to assist in abuse inquiries

Pope Francis has ordered Catholic bishops to co-operate as a matter of priority with a commission he set up to protect children from sexual abuse by clerics, even if it unearths new scandals.

The Pope, who met victims of abuse last year, sent the letter to the bishops and heads of religious institutions before the commission held its first full meeting yesterday.

“Everything possible must be done to rid the Church of the scourge of the sexual abuse of minors and to open pathways of reconciliation and healing for those who were abused,” the Pope says in the letter.