Chancellor Angela Merkel demanded "truth and clarity" on Wednesday about sexual abuse committed by priests in the Roman Catholic Church against children. But Merkel, in a speech to parliament, also said it makes no sense to limit any such investigation to the Church, backing the position taken by German bishops.
She said child sexual and physical abuse was a broader problem affecting all of society.
"We all agree sexual abuse against children is a despicable crime," said Merkel, leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democrats.
"There is only one way for society to come clean and that is truth and clarity about everything that has happened."
The head of Germany's Catholic Church, Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, apologized last week to victims of child abuse by priests.
More than 250 people were abused at Church-run schools in past decades, according to German media reports.
Many cases of abuse at boarding schools also surfaced. Sexual abuse scandals have also rocked the church in the United States, Ireland and Austria.
In the Netherlands more than 200 Catholics have come forward to report alleged sexual abuse by priests, often decades ago.
CONFIDENCE DECLINES
Earlier on Wednesday, Pope Benedict said he hoped his imminent letter on the child abuse problem will "help repentance, healing and renewal."
The Vatican has acknowledged that confidence in the Church has declined. But senior prelates have said it is unfair to single out the Church for child abuse, which also occurs in secular institutions.
"Even if the first cases we've heard about are from the Catholic Church, it doesn't make any sense to limit this to one group," said Merkel, the daughter of a protestant pastor. "It's happened in many parts of society."
The scandal in Germany has personally drawn in Bavarian-born Pope Benedict, whose brother ran for 30 years the prestigious Regensburg choir which has been linked to cases of abuse.
His brother, Rev. Georg Ratzinger, has admitted to repeatedly slapping boys in his Regensburg choir.
Ettal Abbey, scene of brutal beatings and sexual abuse in the past, is located in the archdiocese which the Pope once headed as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
Merkel's Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger has accused the Vatican of covering up scandals and pressed the bishops to cooperate with prosecutors "like in Ireland."
Merkel welcomed a roundtable planned for next month on how to better protect children which will include Catholic and Protestant leaders, teachers, civil society and victims.
She said abuse victims are scarred for the rest of their lives and urged considering extending the statute of limitations for filing charges against abusers beyond the current 10 years.
"There's no way to make complete reparations for that," she said. "But we'll have to talk about (changing) the statute of limitations and we'll have to talk about compensation."
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SIC: Reuters