The Vatican says sexual abuse scandals in Germany and other countries are cause for anguish but the church's response has been prompt and transparent.

Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said Tuesday that any abuse in the church is "especially deplorable" given its educational and moral responsibilities but the issue of child abuse goes beyond the church.

He said the Roman Catholic Church is willing to commit itself to strategies to help prevent abuse.

Scandals over sexual abuse by Catholic clergy of minors and cover-ups by church hierarchy have exploded in recent months in Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands. The U.S. church is still dealing with the financial and emotional fallout from years of scandals.