Priest urges Catholics to read Elms' take on child abuse allegations

The move follows a statement issued to parishioners by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales.

The church leaders acknowledged that "terrible crimes" had been committed, expressed their "heartfelt apology" to victims of abuse and asked for pardon.

They called for a period of "deep prayer and atonement" and invited Catholics to make the four Fridays of May "special days of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament."

St Mary Magdalene's parish priest Father Chris Spain comments on the issue in this week's parish newsletter.

He writes: "We have received many positive comments on the bishops' recent statement and a number of extra parishioners have been coming to Mass for the four Fridays of May to share in prayer of reparation and atonement.

"This week I have contributed to an article by Philip Elms in the Bexhill Observer (page 10) speaking to our town about how seriously we (as a parish and as your priests) take this issue.

"I invite you to read this either in the Observer or on copies displayed in our churches."