Pope Benedict XVI has called for "purification" and
"reform" of the Catholic Church, as the wave of abuse accusations
against paedophile priests continues to rock the establishment.
"Trials and sufferings are not lacking in the ecclesiastical
community, which needs purification and reform," the pope said in a
written statement to the Archbishop of Milan, that was released by the
Vatican press office.
He also called on priests "to turn their lives into a courageous and
saintly journey" and commit to "a sober and pure life" with "a limpid
faith".
The Church has been plunged into its gravest crisis of recent years
after the publication of a 2009 report detailing hundreds of abuse cases
in Ireland.
SIC: ABC/INT'L