English bishops call for penance over abuse

The bishops of England and Wales have issued a statement, calling for Catholics to mark the four Fridays of May with penance and prayer for healing, forgiveness and a renewed dedication.

Statement by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales

Child abuse in the Catholic Church has been such a focus of public attention recently, that we, the Bishops of England and Wales, wish to address this issue directly and unambiguously.

Catholics are members of a single universal body. These terrible crimes, and the inadequate response by some church leaders, grieve us all.