Papal official tempers point about accused bishops

Pope Francis, fifth from left, arrives for a Mass for cardinals and bishops who died in the past year, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Monday, Nov. 3, 2014. Each year, a few days after All Soul’s Day, a Catholic Church feast commemorating the dead, the pope says a Mass for deceased prelates. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

VATICAN CITY  — The head of Pope Francis’ commission to fight sex abuse is tempering his remarks about accountability for bishops accused of covering up for abusive priests, saying they deserve a fair hearing, too.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, told “60 Minutes” news program last week that the Vatican must “urgently” address the situation of Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn, the highest-ranking church official in the U.S. to be convicted of failing to take action in response to abuse allegations.

In a comment posted Wednesday on thebostonpilot.com, the website of the archdiocesan newspaper of Boston, O’Malley stood by his remarks but said bishops deserve due process even as they are held accountable for protecting abusers.