Catholic Church apologises for decades of abuse

 "The Catholic Church in Scotland has issued a `profound apology` for decades of child abuse as survivors described a landmark report into the issue as a `whitewash`..."

"It followed the publication of a report by the Very Rev Andrew McLellan, a former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, who said safeguarding victims and potential victims was the `greatest challenge` facing the Church."

"The McLellan Commission, which was established last year, was charged with undertaking a review of the Church`s procedures for protecting children and vulnerable adults."

"It made eight recommendations, the chief of which was that the Catholic Church must make support for survivors of abuse an `absolute priority`."

"Archbishop Tartaglia said the Church would accept the recommendations in full."

"He said: `As the President of the Bishop` Conference, and on behalf of all the Bishops of Scotland, I want to offer a profound apology to all those who have been harmed and who have suffered in any way as a result of actions by anyone within the Catholic Church`..."

"A review of all cases of historical abuse allegations between 1947 and 2005, is also to be published at a later date."

"Many of the allegations against the Church are expected to be heard by a national public inquiry into historical abuse, which is due to begin in October."

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