Vienna: A prominent Austrian cardinal has acknowledged church guilt in the sex abuse scandal that has shaken the Roman Catholic Church.
Christoph Schoenborn, a close confidante of Pope Benedict XVI, says some in the church took advantage and destroyed the trust of children, were sexually violent and considered the image of the church most important.
He also thanked victims for breaking their silence and added that much remains to be done to make things right.
Schoenborn spoke yesterday during a service in Vienna's St Stephen's Cathedral that was co-organised by a group promoting church reform. It featured accounts of abuse, readings and musical performances.
Austria is among several countries that have been hit by an ongoing string of church abuse claims.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, April 01, 2010, 10:01