Pretoria — The Catholic Church has invited a man claiming to have been sexually molested by a deceased bishop to seek audience with a competent Church authority.

The Church said it noted with great sadness the alleged child sexual abuse of Mario D'Offisi by the late Bishop Reginald Orsmond of Johannesburg during their time together at Boys Town in the 1960's.

Magazine editor D'Offizi alleges in an autobiography to be released next month that Orsmond sexually abused him during three years at Boys Town in the Magaliesberg.

Bishop Orsmond - who died in 2002 - is remembered for founding the largest private childcare organization in South Africa, the Boys Town children's home, in 1958.

The Southern African Catholic Church's spokesman, Fr Chris Townsend, said the church had a clear position against sexual abuse of any kind and had been consistent in strongly condemning the "deplorable behaviour within the church and within society as a whole."

He said Bishop Orsmond was a larger-than-life character in the lives of so many people and it was unfortunate that allegations of sexual abuse had come years after his death.

"In accordance to our commitment to pastoral care of those who perceive themselves as victims, we invite Mr D'Offizi and all others who feel that they are victims of abuse by Catholic Clergy and Religious to share their story with a competent church authority so that swift and compassionate action can be taken."

Fr Townsend said the allegations would hurt many people, but hoped justice would be done. "All will be hurting due to these allegations. We all hope that whatever processes are undertaken, justice may be served to the benefit of all affected by this.

The Protocol for dealing with sexual abuse of children in Southern Africa is available on the Church's official website: http://www.sacbc.org.za