3,000 paedophiles in French Catholic church since 1950s - inquiry head

Figure from head of commission investigating sexual abuse comes days before publication of report

The head of an independent commission investigating child sexual abuse in the French Catholic church has said about 3,000 paedophiles have operated inside the institution since 1950.

Days before publication of its report, Jean-Marc Sauve said the commission's investigations had uncovered between 2,900 and 3,200 paedophile priests or other church members, adding that this was a minimum estimate".