The Catholic Church in Belgium has begged for more time to deal with child sexual abuse by clergy because the problem is ''so big and touches on so many emotions''. A report by an independent commission last week found 475 cases of sex abuse committed by at least 91 priests, other clergy or church workers.
At least 13 victims committed suicide after the abuse carried out over four decades.
Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard, head of the church in Belgium, said the report ''and the suffering it contains make us shiver''. But the plan unveiled to heal the wounds by Archbishop Leonard disappointed victim groups.
The archbishop told a news conference the church would act to grant victims of sexual abuse by priests or church workers ''maximum'' access to officials, but did not spell out what could be delivered.
He announced vague plans to create a centre for ''recognition, reconciliation and healing'' within the church.
A Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, said the Pope was following the sex abuse reports ''very closely''.
''Like everybody, he feels much pain after the publication of the report, which again reveals the huge suffering of victims and gives us an even more vivid sense of the gravity of the crimes.''
The disgraced bishop of Bruges, Roger Vangheluwe, quit in April after admitting he had sexually abused his nephew between 1973 and 1986. He will leave the parish.
SIC: SMH/AUS