The Vatican has distanced itself from remarks by a top prelate who stirred anger in the gay community by blaming homosexual priests for the child sex abuse scandals rocking the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone says it is homosexuality, not celibacy, that is to blame for the child abuse in the Church.

“Many psychologists and psychiatrists have shown that there is no link between celibacy and paedophilia, but many others have shown, and I’ve been told recently, that there is a relationship between homosexuality and paedophilia,” he said.

“That is the truth. I read it in a document written by psychologists, so that is the problem.”

Cardinal Bertone continued, telling reporters that child sex abuse was widespread in society. But this did not excuse it in the Church, he said.

“Keep in mind the most important thing is that this pathological illness is a pathological illness that can affect all types of people, with a smaller percentage amongst priests,” he said.

“However, the behaviour of these priests in this respect is very negative behaviour, very serious and shocking.”

The Vatican later distanced itself from the remarks, saying “psychological or medical” assertions are not in the remit of Church officials.

“Church authorities do not deem it part of their responsibility to make general assertions of a specifically psychological or medical nature,” the Vatican said in a statement.

But Cardinal Bertone’s comments have brought condemnation from gay activists, doctors and politicians.

Rolando Jimenez, the president of the Movement for the Integration and Freedom of Homosexuals, says Cardinal Bertone has tried to shift the blame for child sex in the Church to gay priests.

“In much the same way as the Catholic Church had to apologise for the crimes of the Inquisition, or present their apologies – mild, but apologies nonetheless – for their role in the Jewish Holocaust, I have no doubt that in the medium or long term the Catholic Church hierarchy will at some point have to apologise for this perversion, for the sinister attitude of this Vatican gentleman,” he said.

“We believe that there is no element, we are certain that there is no relationship between paedophilia and homosexuality.”

Doctors have also disputed the link, and so has a Chilean senator who has helped draft child protection laws.

In a report by the AFP news service, Senator Patricio Walker says: “I would like to see the scientific studies he said he has because I don’t share his evaluation.”

Senator Walker says he has the impression that Cardinal Bertone is wrong on that point.

The Vatican’s secretary of state is not the only one whose comments have not helped defuse the child sex scandals.

The Pope’s personal preacher recently likened accusations against the pontiff to collective violence against Jews.

Father Raniero Cantalamessa spoke in a Good Friday sermon at St Peter’s Basilica. The Pope was watching on.

Jewish leaders as well as some senior members of the Catholic Church found Father Cantalamessa’s comment insulting.

Containment

Senior figures in the Catholic Church have been trying to contain the child sex scandals, some of the worst to hit the Church in years.

There have been claims of child sex abuse by priests in Austria, Germany, Ireland and the United States, as well as in Australia.

The Vatican has dismissed reports of a church cover-up as exaggerations. Some victims hold the Pope himself responsible.

Pope Benedict has faced claims that he failed to take action against priests who were preying on children.

Before heading the Church he was a top morals enforcer and earlier the archbishop of Munich. Cardinal Bertone has defended Pope Benedict’s handling of the child sex claims.

“The Pope is willing to find the victims. We don’t want to silence this issue but we want this campaign to end,” he said.