nowhereman

Pope's pathetic apology

"It's really just sounding like a general expression of regret, whereas we want to see the Pope apologise directly to some of the victims, who should be given a chance to speak to him," Ms MacIsaac said.

"A lot of victims feel abused twice, first as a result of the sex abuse itself, then because of the cover-up, and we think the Pope should address that as well.

"He must also tell his Australian bishops to stop blocking victims' access to justice in the civil courts."

Melbourne high school teacher Stephen Woods, who was sexually abused between the ages of 11 and 14 while at Catholic school in Ballarat, said a papal apology was important but must be made directly to victims.

"I would love to be in the room when he did it," said Mr Woods, 47.

"I would love to meet him face to face. I'd ask him to tell the bishops to apologise for covering up and hiding all those crimes they knew about.

"I believe the Pope's apology should take the same form as Kevin Rudd's for the Stolen Generations. Mr Rudd used clear, concise and strong words, including the word 'sorry' many times.

"He did it in a room full of victims and there was a very palpable sense of emotion and even anguish in words. That's what I want to hear."