Switzerland's president urges paedophile priest register

"It is important that paedophiles, whether they are priests, teachers or if they have one form or other dealings with children, should no longer be able to have contact with children," Leuthard told Swiss newspaper Le Matin Dimanche.

"Maintaining a centralised register as it currently exists for teachers should also be discussed for paedophile priests," she said.

The president said help centres should be opened for victims and the complaints should be filed at the courts.

"And the cases should be treated resolutely. There, the church has to take up its share of responsibility.

"Whether the perpetrators are non-religious or religious makes no difference. All must be subjected to the Swiss penal code, without exception," she stressed.

The Swiss weekly Sonntagszeitung reported that the Swiss bishops' conference was considering holding an emergency meeting, where the issue of a register could be discussed, prior to its regular annual meeting from May 31 to June 2.