PARIS, Nov 7 — French cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard said in a statement today that he had abused a 14-year-old girl decades ago and said he would withdraw from his functions.

"Thirty-five years ago, when I was a parish priest, I have behaved in a reprehensible way with a young girl aged 14. My behaviour has inevitably led to grave and lasting consequences for this person,” Ricard said in a statement.

Ricard asked for forgiveness and said he would withdraw from his functions and be available for legal and church authorities. — Reuters