Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for more details to be made public about the sexual abuse of children within the Roman Catholic Church, but insisted that any crimes that have taken place reflect a wider problem in society.

In a speech to parliament Merkel ruled out the idea of a specific investigation into the clergy. She agreed with clerics such as the head of Germany's Catholic Church, Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, that abuse should be treated as a wider issue.

"We all agree that sexual abuse against children is a despicable crime," said Merkel. "There is only one way for society to come clean and that is truth and clarity about everything that has happened.

"Even if the first cases we've heard about are from the Catholic Church, it doesn't make any sense to limit this to one group," said Merkel. "It's happened in many parts of society."

Since the beginning of the year, more than 150 cases of sexual abuse in Catholic institutions have come to light, dating as far back as the 1950s.

No complete compensation

Merkel said that the victims who have come forward could never be adequately compensated for what had happened.

"Their lives run differently than if this had not happened to them in their early years," she said. "It accompanies them throughout life."

"There never will or can be complete recompense."

Merkel added that questions about compensation and changes to the law to bring perpetrators to justice still needed to be addressed.

Under Germany's present statute of limitations, such crimes cannot be prosecuted more than 10 years after the victims turn 18.

Conference to include victims

Merkel welcomed plans for a "round table" conference next month on improving the protection of children in society as a whole. This will include victims, teachers, social service representatives and Catholic and Protestant leaders.

Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, from the Free Democrat party, also welcomed the all-encompassing talks. Previously, she had called for an additional specific forum to be set up on abuse by Catholic clergy.

Meanwhile in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI said that he would sign a pastoral letter to Roman Catholics in Ireland about a pedophile priest scandal and subsequent cover-up in that country.

Speaking at his weekly general audience on Wednesday, the pontiff voiced "deep concern" and said he would sign a letter "dealing with this painful situation" on Friday.

"I ask all of you to read it for yourselves, with an open heart and in a spirit of faith. My hope is that it will help in the process of repentance, healing and renewal," the pope said.

mz/rc/KNA/AFP/Reuters/dpa

Editor: Susan Houlton