EAST LOTHIAN, Scotland, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The bishop of Aberdeen, Hugh Gilbert, apologized on behalf of the Catholic Church for decades of abuse of students at a boarding school in Scotland.
Gilbert's apology Sunday was the first from a senior clergyman in response to evidence of physical and sexual abuse by monks at Fort Augustus Abbey School and its prep school in East Lothian, the BBC reported.
"It is a most bitter, shaming and distressing thing that in this former abbey school a small number of baptized, consecrated and ordained Christian men physically or sexually abused those in their care," Gilbert said.
"We are anxious that there be a thorough police investigation into all this. And, that all that can be done should be done for the victims. All of us must surely pray for those who have suffered."
A documentary by the BBC revealed the allegations Monday, providing evidence against seven monks at the school.
The program revealed that the abbey was used as a "dumping ground" for clergymen who had previously confessed to abusing children.
