News: Vatican Treasurer Pell found guilty in Australia of abusing two choir boys 22 years ago, page-42

People should also appreciate many priests were also victims to their church.

Many arrived as shy young men in their late teens and without really understanding the commitments that were undertaking became priests with little knowledge of the world.

We are now well aware of issues to do with sexuality and what happens to abused children, but it was a different world 50 years ago.

There were child victims of abuse at the hands of priests, but in those days the community also tolerated abusive and violent alcoholic husbands, incest with children and grandchildren along with psychological and physical abuse.

We cannot condone the acts of priests, but we should also be aware many priests were also victims of the faith in Jesus.