THE Archbishop of Birmingham has responded to accusations that he ignored a Worcestershire abuse victim claiming he has "an open-door policy" to discuss concerns about the Roman Catholic Church.

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, says he is saddened that Karl Bicknell's attempts to meet him met with delay.

Mr Bicknell, of Callow End, says that he felt ignored and spent months trying to arrange a meeting with the Archbishop.

Mr Bicknell claims he suffered mental and emotional abuse in the Father Hudson Orphanage in Warwickshire, formerly run by paedophile priest Eric Taylor.

The defrocked priest, who spent time in Worcester, died last month in prison halfway through his seven-year sentence for 18 offences against children.

Mr Bicknell had criticised the Archbishop for neglecting him while he felt that the Roman Catholic Church had been swift to pronounce forgiveness and compassion for Mr Taylor, who was branded "a disgrace to his cloth" by the trial judge.

"The Archbishop is willing to meet with anybody who has a serious concern that they wish to bring against anybody in the Roman Catholic Church working in the Diocese of Birmingham," said Press Secretary Peter Jennings.

"The Archbishop normally responds by return of post. He reiterated yesterday in London that he wants to hear from anybody who has a serious case to bring.

"I'm extremely sorry that Mr Bicknell felt brushed aside. This wasn't the case, the Archbishop has an open-door policy - he doesn't keep people waiting weeks, let alone months.

"Like other people, the Archbishop does have a holiday, and he does have national responsibilities. The consequences are that he is not always in Birmingham to meet people, but he has an extremely good track record for meeting people who need to talk to him, he would welcome an opportunity to meet with Mr Bicknell."