Czech Catholic chief defends Polish pope abuse cover-up claim

The head of the Czech Roman Catholic Church, Prague Archbishop Jan Graubner, has defended the late Pope John Paul II. Mr. Graubner said recent accusations that while archbishop of Krakow he covered up sexual abuse by priests do not consider the broader context. He made the comment on the website of the Czech Bishops’ Conference.

Mr. Graubner also said that the Polish communist secret police may have been involved in the matter.

He said John Paul II may have made mistakes but said in those days there was different social awareness and usual methods of dealing with sexual offences.