Robert Zollitsch, one of Germany’s most senior Catholic prelates, has acknowledged serious mistakes in his handling of sex abuse allegations in the church.

In a statement, Mr Zollitsch, chairman of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference from 2008 up to his retirement in 2014, asked for forgiveness.

“I made serious errors at the time in my behaviour and actions, in the recording and taking of decisions, and failed to recognise the dangers of renewed abuse as well,’’ said the 84-year-old retired prelate.

Mr Zollitsch, who served as archbishop of Freiburg from 2003 to 2014, said his failings related both to his time as a personnel officer and the period when he was archbishop of one of Germany’s largest archdioceses.

“For too long, I was guided too much by the well-being of the Catholic Church in my attitudes and in my actions, and far too little in my compassion for the sufferings of those affected and care for the victims,’’ he added.

A report into how sexual abuse was dealt with by those responsible in the archdiocese was to have been published on October 25 but was postponed in September. 

(dpa/NAN)