Benedict XVI rejects accusations in sexual abuse report

Benedict XVI admits he learned of an abusive priest in a meeting 2:36

(CNN) --

Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday rejected accusations that he knew in 1980 that a priest under his control was an abuser.

He also denied intentionally hiding his presence at a meeting about the priest that year.

Benedict has come under fire for his time as archbishop of Munich and Freising after a church-commissioned report on abuse by Catholic clergy there emerged.

The report found that Benedict XVI was present at a meeting about an abuser identified as Priest X, though testimony the pope provided to investigators indicated that he did not participate.

• Pope Benedict XVI admits to having been in a meeting about an abusive priest

On Tuesday, a trio of experts working for Benedict XVI said he, then known as Joseph Ratzinger, was present at the meeting, unaware the priest was an abuser.

“It was exclusively about young Priest X's lodging in Munich because he had to undergo therapy there.

This request was fulfilled.

The reason for the therapy was not mentioned during the meeting,” the experts said.

Pope says he will face the 'final judge' of his life

Investigation of child abuse puts Benedict XVI in trouble 1:35

Pope Benedict XVI also said he is "in good spirits" as he faces the "final judge of my life," in his personal response to the report's allegations of abuse by priests in Munich, where he was archbishop from 1977 to 1982.

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“Very soon, I will find myself before the final judge of my life.

Although looking back on my long life I may have many reasons to fear and tremble, yet I am in good spirits, for I firmly trust that the Lord is not only the righteous judge, but also the friend and brother that he himself has suffered for. my flaws,” he wrote in a letter released by the Vatican.

Benedict XVI, 94, admitted again on Tuesday that he had been present at a meeting in 1980 about a priest.

And he called denying it to the lawyers who compiled the report an "oversight."

• Pope Benedict XVI learned of priest abuse when he led Munich archdiocese, researchers say

"This error, which unfortunately occurred, was not intentional and I hope it can be excused," wrote Benedict XVI.

He also issued a general apology to survivors of abuse: "Once again, I can only express to all victims of sexual abuse my deep shame, my deep sorrow, and my sincere request for forgiveness."

Benedict XVI admits to having been in a meeting

On January 24, Benedict XVI admitted that he was at that 1980 meeting in which the abusive priest was discussed.

At the time he attributed his denial that he had been there to "an error in editing his statement."

The admission came in a statement to the Catholic News Agency through his private secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, who said the mistake "had not been made with malicious intent" but was "the result of an error in the editorial processing of his statement" to the independent investigation commissioned by the Archdiocese of Munich-Freising.

He is "very sorry" for this and asked to be excused, Gänswein said.

Sexual abuse in the ChurchBenedict XVI