The aforementioned report found 49 members of the Catholic Church guilty of abusing choir boys between 1945 and 1990

But the perpetrators are unlikely to face charges owing to the lapsed time.

The disturbing report have been published by lawyer Ulrich Weber, who was investigating the case.

He said that among the 49 members singled out for criticism is former choirmaster Georg Ratzinger, elder brother of retired Pope Benedict XVI.

Ratzinger, now 93, denied any knowledge of sexual abuse, though he himself had admitted in the past of slapping choir boys occasionally.

He also added that the physical punishment were never severe and insisted that they never left the victim knocked out cold.

Presenting his findings on Tuesday, Weber reported 500 cases of physical abuse and 67 instances of sexual abuse.

The report stated that while 40 of the 49 church members were involved in physical abuse, 9 were found guilty of sexual battery.

Weber added that the victims had described their plight as "the worst time of their lives, characterised by fear, violence and hopelessness" and "a prison, hell and a concentration camp."

The investigation was initiated following allegations of widespread sexual abuse in 2010.

In 2016 a report stated that at least 231 children were abused, therefore confirming the allegations.

However, Regensburg Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller, who is now a cardinal, has rejected Weber's report.

According to experts, the new report is expected to cause significant discomfort for Vatican, who has been plagued by reports of sexual harassment in the last few years.

Last month Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell was charged with sex offences by Victoria Police.

Representational Images.

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