A damning new inquiry revealed that some 216 000 children – mostly boys have been sexually abused by clergy in the French Catholic Church since 1950.

Founder of the La Parole Libérée, Francois Devaux says there had been a betrayal of trust, morale, and of children.

The inquiry further revealed that the number of children abused in France could increase to 330 000 when considering abuses committed by lay members of the church. These include teachers at Catholic schools.

The report’s release comes shortly after several abuse claims and prosecutions against Catholic Church officials worldwide.

[Picture: AFP]