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AUSTRALIA 
Pope meets sex abuse victims
Monday, 21 July, 2008
Pope Benedict XVI this morning met with a four people who have been abused by Catholic clergy in Australia, in a private mass at St Mary's.
SBS World Youth Day correspondent Auskar Surbakti reports the meeting took place in the chapel of St Mary's Cathedral this morning where the Pope conducted a private mass.
There were four victims present -- two men and two women. The victims were accompanied by their supporters and at least one priest was present and one senior Seloni (an interior Vatican secretary).
The names of victims were not yet known.
When the mass ended the victims had the chance to speak one-on-one with the Pope.
The Pope was reported to have spoken in a 'heartfelt' way with the victims and offered them consolation.
The meeting ended just before 8am this morning and the Vatican says it was a very emotional, intense meeting.
The Vatican says this gesture to express the Pope's concern over the sexual abuse issue and they wanted to make sure it happened after Word Youth Day.
The Vatican this morning released a statement, which read:
"As an expression of his ongoing pastoral concern for those who have been abused by members of the clergy, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today celebrated Mass with a representative group of victims.
"He listened to their stories and offered them consolation. Assuring them of his spiritual closeness, he promised to continue to pray for them, their families and all victims.
"Through this paternal gesture, the Holy Father wished to demonstrate again his deep concern for all those who have suffered sexual abuse," the statement said.
Pope to leave Sydney
The Pope is flying out of Sydney this morning but first he's stopping off at The Domain to thank World Youth Day
volunteers for their work during six days of Catholic celebrations.
He's minutes away from leaving St Mary's Cathedral in a motorcade.
Then there'll be rolling road closures and a green light corridor all the way to the airport .. where the pontiff will be
farewelled by church and government officials.
He's flying back to Rome on a Qantas charter plane that's due to depart about 10am (AEST).
Source: SBS, AAP
SBS World Youth Day correspondent Auskar Surbakti reports the meeting took place in the chapel of St Mary's Cathedral this morning where the Pope conducted a private mass.
There were four victims present -- two men and two women. The victims were accompanied by their supporters and at least one priest was present and one senior Seloni (an interior Vatican secretary).
The names of victims were not yet known.
When the mass ended the victims had the chance to speak one-on-one with the Pope.
The Pope was reported to have spoken in a 'heartfelt' way with the victims and offered them consolation.
The meeting ended just before 8am this morning and the Vatican says it was a very emotional, intense meeting.
The Vatican says this gesture to express the Pope's concern over the sexual abuse issue and they wanted to make sure it happened after Word Youth Day.
The Vatican this morning released a statement, which read:
"As an expression of his ongoing pastoral concern for those who have been abused by members of the clergy, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today celebrated Mass with a representative group of victims.
"He listened to their stories and offered them consolation. Assuring them of his spiritual closeness, he promised to continue to pray for them, their families and all victims.
"Through this paternal gesture, the Holy Father wished to demonstrate again his deep concern for all those who have suffered sexual abuse," the statement said.
Pope to leave Sydney
The Pope is flying out of Sydney this morning but first he's stopping off at The Domain to thank World Youth Day
volunteers for their work during six days of Catholic celebrations.
He's minutes away from leaving St Mary's Cathedral in a motorcade.
Then there'll be rolling road closures and a green light corridor all the way to the airport .. where the pontiff will be
farewelled by church and government officials.
He's flying back to Rome on a Qantas charter plane that's due to depart about 10am (AEST).
Source: SBS, AAP
