Pope promises action against clerical sex abuse

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has promised "church action" to confront the clerical abuse scandal. Benedict told his weekly public audience Wednesday in St. Peter's Square that he had told victims of abuse during his recent trip to Malta that he "shared their suffering ... assuring them of church action." Benedict met Sunday with eight Maltese men who say they were abused by priests as children. The Vatican issued a statement saying Benedict had told the men during the private meeting that the church would do everything in its power to bring justice to abusive priests and would implement "effective measures" to protect children. Benedict's words Wednesday are his first public comment on the scandal, although he called for repentence last week. — AP