The Catholic Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle in New South Wales says a series of child sex abuse scandals have taken a heavy toll, prompting him to ask the Pope for help. More than 70 boys are believed to have been abused in the Hunter Valley since the 1970s.
Over the past two years, three priests and a clergy member have been charged.
One of them, Father John Sidney Denham, is awaiting sentencing for abusing dozens of boys.
Maitland-Newcastle Bishop Michael Malone says the past 15 years have been very challenging.
"Right from the very first day I took over as Bishop I was faced with the issue of Vince Ryan who had pleaded guilty to several charges and from then on it's been a rather sad litany of people I've had to deal with," he said.
Pope Benedict is currently taking with Irish Bishops in relation to abuse cases there.
Bishop Malone says it is further proof the pontiff is committed to addressing the issue of clergy abuse.
"The Irish church has been rocked by all the allegations and reports about sexual abuse by clergy and we know what that's like sadly and we need to redress this whole issue."
Bishop Malone says if the Pope agrees to his request for a coadjutor bishop it will allow him to work towards his retirement.
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