Letter 'shows Pope Paul VI knew of abuse'

The head of a US Catholic order that specialised in the treatment of paedophile priests visited Pope Paul VI nearly 50 years ago and followed up with a letter recommending their removal from ministry, it has emerged.

In the August 27, 1963 letter, the head of the New Mexico-based Servants of the Holy Paraclete tells the Pope he recommends removing paedophile priests from active ministry and strongly urges defrocking repeat offenders.