Vatican answers abuse critics

The Catholic church has said its child abuse scandals are only part of a wider problem.

It follows more recent sex abuse scandals in Germany, the Pope's homeland, and other countries. The Vatican said they were a cause for anguish but claimed its response has been prompt and transparent.

Scandals over sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy and cover-ups by church hierarchy have exploded in recent years. The allegations in Germany are particularly sensitive because the scandals involve a choir once led by the Pope's brother, the Rev Georg Ratzinger.

Meanwhile in Austria the head of a Benedictine monastery in Salzburg admitted abusing a 12-year-old boy decades ago and resigned.