Priests molested 1,000 children in Pennsylvania, report says
Francis begged forgiveness for the pain suffered by victims and said lay Catholics must be involved in any effort to root out abuse and cover-up. He blasted the self-referential clerical culture that has been blamed for the abuse crisis, with church leaders more concerned for their reputation than the safety of children.
Francis wrote: "We showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them."
Jim Gardner interviews PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro
The Vatican issued the letter Monday, ahead of Francis' trip this weekend to Ireland that is expected to be dominated by the abuse crisis.
Report details sex abuse by more than 300 Catholic priests
ONLINE: Read Pope Francis' letter
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