More than half of Catholic priests convicted of sexually abusing children in the last decade are still listed as members of the clergy, it was reported.
A Channel 4 News investigation said that of 22 priests convicted and jailed for more than a year for child sex abuse since 2001, 14 were yet to be laicised or sacked from the Catholic Church of England and Wales.
Last night programme said some were still even receiving financial support from the Church and living in Church-owned property.
The revelations follow recommendations made in 2001 by senior Judge Lord Nolan, who suggested that any priest sentenced to a year or more in prison for sex offences against children should face “laicisation” – the stripping of their title, priesthood and privileges.