The head of the Belgian Church's commission to investigate clerical sex abuse says Pope Benedict XVI should resign to set an example to other Church leaders and to seize "a historic opportunity to return a moral standard for all other institutions to draw."

Child psychologist Peter Adriaenssens released a report Sept. 10 (closing out his commission's work) that said that nearly 500 people had reported abuse by priests since the 1950s and 13 victims committed suicide.

In an interview with the De Morgen newspaper published today, Adriaenssens says

"The pope should not content himself with just expressing regret. He should offer his resignation."

For a link to the Google-translated interview, go here.

This fits in the "What is happening in the Belgian Church" file.