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Catholic World News News Feature

Archbishop In Wales Denies Sexual Abuse Charges January 27, 1999

LONDON (CWNews.com) - The archbishop of Cardiff, Wales, denied allegations on Wednesday that he sexually abused a six-year-old girl nearly 40 years ago. Archbishop John Ward, 70, the leader of the Catholic Church in Wales, lamented the proliferation of false accusation against priests.

The archbishop acknowledged he had been questioned by police on Tuesday after he was contacted by a British tabloid newspaper about the allegations. Police said Ward was not charged and was released on bail until March. "I vigorously deny these allegations against me," the archbishop said in a statement. "The truth will out, it will set us free. Those who know me will have no problems accepting that."

Archbishop Ward said accusations against priests in the US and Ireland in recent years involving mental and physical abuse have created a climate ripe for false accusations. "Tragically, there have been cases where priests have been guilty of heinous crimes which must be condemned. But many priests have been falsely accused as well as teachers, doctors social workers etc. Their lives have been made a misery and their ministry damaged. The Church has had enough of these tragedies and travesties of injustice and abuse," he said.