THE Italian Catholic Church on Tuesday thanked priests for their dedication while under pressure from 'sweeping accusations' of child sex abuse. The message, published on the website of the Italian Bishops Conference, marked the end of the Roman Catholic Church's Year for Priests, a turbulent period during which the Church across Europe and the United States has fought allegations that the hierarchy protected paedophile priests.
Allegations 'have caused bitterness and pain and cast suspicions on everyone,' the bishops said before lauding priests for their patience, faith and hope.
'We are proud of you!' the statement said.
In May, the head of the Italian Church said it was 'possible' that bishops in Italy may have covered up for some paedophile priests.
Another top bishop recently gave a first official figure on cases in Italy, saying the Church had carried out some 100 canonical investigations of priests suspected of abuse in the country over the past 10 years.
The bishops' conference did not say how many priests were found guilty.
Celebrations for the end of the Year of Priests will run from Wednesday through Friday.A top cardinal in April urged the 400,000 priests around the world to flock to the Vatican to show their support for Pope Benedict XVI against 'unjust attacks' over his handling of clergy sex abuse.
SIC: ST