Bishop apologises for priest's child abuse

The Catholic bishop responsible for Jersey has apologised after a former island priest was found guilty of three counts of gross indecency with a child.

On Wednesday, Jersey's Royal Court found Piotr Antoni Glas guilty of the offences, which occurred between 2004 and 2007 while he was a priest in the island.

The Bishop of Portsmouth, the Right Reverend Philip Egan, said he wanted to express "deep sorrow" and "profound apologies" for the abuse and pain the victim suffered.

Glas is due to be sentenced on 2 June.

Bishop Egan said the victim would have carried pain "over the course of their life" as a consequence of the priest's "grave offences".

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their family," he said.

The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth covers three counties in the south of England, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight.

Bishop Egan said the diocese was "committed to ensuring the safety and protection" of all people within its parishes and church communities.

"There are robust safeguarding standards, policies and procedures in operation within the diocese and indeed throughout the Catholic Church in England and Wales," he said.

He added: "We report all allegations of abuse to the relevant statutory authorities, and we will continue our commitment to provide safe places for everyone."

Bishop Egan encouraged anyone seeking support in relation to abuse or harm they had suffered to contact the diocese safeguarding team.

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