last updated at 09:31 GMT, Saturday, 19 July 2008 10:31 UK


Pope Benedict XVI has told Australians he is deeply sorry for the sexual abuse of children by some Catholic priests.

The BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney, says victims have complained that the Church in Australia has tried to stall compensation claims and cover up certain cases.................

there have been 107 convictions against Catholic clergymen on sex charges in Australia. But the campaigners estimate the number of victims to be in the thousands......

On Saturday, several hundred protesters rallied in Sydney against the Pope's opposition to homosexuality and contraception.

Police said there were minor scuffles as some of the demonstrators pelted Catholic pilgrims withcondoms..........ends.................................................................................................... pictured Hungary 1994.

"The Catholic church says it will not tolerate that which is un-natural........what is natural with the policy of this church forcing its priests to be celibate and giving them physical and psychological power to abuse innocent children unable to defend themselves?"