Bishop supports paedophile priest apology

A Catholic bishop is supporting calls for the Pope to make a public apology to Australian victims of paedophile priests.

Several sexual abuse victims in the New South Wales Hunter Valley are demanding Pope Benedict make an apology when he visits Sydney for World Youth Day in July.

Some of the victims are keen to meet the Pope personally.

The Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, Michael Malone, says the Pope has set a precedent by apologising to American victims of paedophile priests.

"[He] not only apologised publicly but also met with a number of victims," he said.

"I'm not sure that his schedule in Sydney would allow that to happen, but I would certainly be supportive of it."