LONDON - The Roman Catholic church is "under attack" because of sex-abuse allegations against priests, the church's senior English clergyman said in a letter released Sunday.
In a letter sent to churches in the diocese of Westminster and intended to be read to worshippers, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said the church would survive the challenge and insisted "the overwhelming majority of our priests" were good and trustworthy people.
"As you know, not only I personally but the whole Catholic Church in England and Wales has been under attack from some quarters during these past days," said Murphy-O'Connor, who is Archbishop of Westminster.
"I am very conscious that all our priests and people, feeling the weight of that pressure, are deeply concerned."
On Thursday, former Catholic priest Michael Hill was sentenced to five years in jail for indecent assaults on boys.
His case raised questions about the role of Murphy-O'Connor, who was the bishop of Hill's diocese of Arundel and Brighton at the time of the offenses.
Murphy-O'Connor allowed Hill to take up a post as chaplain at Gatwick Airport in 1985 despite knowing of serious allegations against the priest.
In the letter, Murphy-O'Connor said he deeply regretted any damage that had been done following a "mistaken decision in the past."
He has denied ignoring or covering up other cases of abuse.
"Failure of course has to be acknowledged, but we also recognize the gift of the Lord's forgiveness," the letter said.
Murphy-O'Connor said the church had made great efforts to protect children and rid the clergy of abusive priests.
"There is no need for us to be afraid. With Christian hope and courage we can confront the issues of our time and continue to deepen our faithful witness in our society," he said.