Catholic Church bid to strip Savile's papal honor

[October 27, 2012]  LONDON (AP) -- The Catholic Church of England says it has contacted the Holy See to ask if the papal knighthood awarded to late television star Jimmy Savile could be removed following sexual abuse allegations.

Police say some 300 potential victims have come forward with abuse allegations against Savile, a well-known BBC children's television host who died last year. Most of them say they were abused by Savile, but some say they were abused by other people, police said Friday.

The church said Saturday that Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichol wrote to Vatican officials last week, asking the Holy See to investigate the possibility of posthumously removing Savile's honor in recognition of the "deep distress" of the alleged victims.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and the Vatican for his charitable work.

[Associated Press]

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