Chilean church apologies for sex abuse

The Roman Catholic Church in Chile has issued an apology to the victims of child sexual abuse by priests, following a public outcry over the arrest of a member of the clergy.

The head of the Chilean Church, Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, said the institution was deeply embarrassed for failing to tackle the problem adequately.

Two weeks ago Father Jose Aguirre Ovalle was charged with abusing several children who attended his parish in Quilicura, about 30km (20 miles) north of the capital, Santiago.

Correspondents say the case of Father Aguirre followed accusations of child sex abuse against five other priests, which had been concealed by the Church for years.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service