French clergy sexually abused over 200,000 children since 1950, report finds

French clergy sexually abused more than 200,000 children over the past 70 years, a major investigation released on Oct. 5 found, and its authors said the Catholic Church had turned a blind eye to the 'scourge' for too long.

The church had shown "deep, total and even cruel indifference for years," protecting itself rather than the victims of what was systemic abuse, said Jean-Marc Sauve, head of the commission that compiled the report.

Most of the victims were boys, he said, many of them aged between 10 and 13.

"Faced with this scourge, for a very long time the Catholic Church's immediate reaction was to protect itself as an institution and it has shown complete, even cruel, indifference to those having suffered abuse," the report said.

The revelations, which showed the problem in France was more widespread than previously thought, were the latest to rock the Roman Catholic Church, after a series of sexual abuse scandals around the world, often involving children.

Pope Francis expressed gratitude towards victims for having the courage to come forward.

"First of all his thoughts go to the victims, with great sorrow, for their wounds," a Vatican statement said.

"[His thoughts go to] the Church of France, so that, in the awareness of this terrible reality ... it may embark on a path of redemption."

The head of the French conference of bishops, Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, said the church was shamed. Calling the report a "bombshell", he asked for forgiveness and promised to act.

The commission was established by Catholic bishops in France at the end of 2018 to shed light on abuses and restore public confidence in the church at a time of dwindling congregations. It has worked independently from the church.

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