"We ask forgiveness from all the victims of sexual abuse, both for the aggression and for the inadequate treatment of it. We also ask forgiveness from those close to the victims and from society for all the human consequences caused by such abuse."

This is an extract from a pastoral letter by the bishops of Belgium.

The bishops said that one of the causes of the sexual abuse problem was the way authority is exercised in the Church, an issue which they said requires an "examination of conscience".

The bishops said they had erred by not taking the problem of abuse seriously enough.

'Let healing begin'

Thai bishops are asking all sides in the recent conflict between government and the 'red-shirt' protesters to begin the process of healing and reconciliation. "There is no winner," said Bishop Philip Banchong Chaiyara of Ubon Ratchathani, president of the Thai bishops' Episcopal Commission for Social Ministries. "Everyone has lost."

Relativism weakens democracy

The current culture of "confused relativism and utilitarian and hedonistic individualism weakens democracy and promotes the domination of the most powerful", Pope Benedict said while addressing a meeting of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

"Authentically Christian politicians are needed," the Pope said. The world of politics and governance requires "a true revolution of love" in which citizens are inspired by the Christian values of solidarity and truth to work for the common good, he added.

Cuban bishops meet Castro

Havana Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino and Archbishop Dionisio Garcia Ibanez of Santiago, president of the Cuban bishops' conference, said they believed "small steps" would soon begin in the process of improving the conditions for political prisoners.

They said their May 19 meeting with Cuban president Raúl Castro was "a magnificent start", but cautioned that "we are not talking about any commitments", and that talks would continue between the Church and the government.

Boycotting the Mexico census

The 2010 census planned to begin tomorrow in Mexico may be boycotted by the archdiocese of Mexico City.

The census questionnaire refers to the Catholic Church as the Apostolic Reformed Roman Catholic Church, instead of the Apostolic Roman Catholic Church. An editorial in the archdiocesan publication Desde la Fe fears that people will be misled because of the incorrect reference to the Catholic Church.

A test survey carried by staff of the archdiocese found that only 30 per cent of those questioned in the test survey answered correctly.

Two million visit Shroud

Church authorities estimate that over two million pilgrims had gone to venerate the Shroud of Turin in the six weeks it was on display. Cardinal Severino Poletto of Turin said "I had the clear perception that the Lord was speaking to the hearts of the pilgrims who came before the shroud seeking answers."

Compiled by Fr Joe Borg