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Mass-goers hear Pope's apology
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Sunday Mass-goers across Ireland have been read Pope Benedict's words of apology in his pastoral letter on clerical child abuse.
The pontiff told victims he was truly sorry for their suffering and admitted bishops had made grave errors of judgment in dealing with paedophile priests.
But he stopped short of directly addressing well-documented cover-ups by senior clergy in recent decades, with some survivors complaining his comments did not go far enough.
The letter, which congregations have been receiving at weekend Masses throughout the island, is the first of its kind to tackle clerical child abuse.
Its issuing came as head of the Catholic Church in Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady faced continued calls to step down over his handling of abuse claims which saw victims of Father Brendan Smyth sign confidentiality deals.
The Church was also stunned this week by disclosures that two other accused Irish priests agreed to pay thousands of pounds in out-of-court settlements to their alleged victims.
The fresh scandals follow recent state investigations in the Republic of Ireland which unearthed a sickening litany of past clerical and institutional abuse against children.
Pope Benedict acknowledged that in the past there had been a misplaced emphasis on the Church's reputation and called for decisive action to restore people's respect and goodwill.
"I can only share in the dismay and the sense of betrayal that so many of you have experienced on learning of these sinful and criminal acts and the way Church authorities in Ireland dealt with them," he told followers.
"Together with the immense harm done to victims, great damage has been done to the Church and to the public perception of the priesthood and religious life."
Reader views (5)
Truly sorry - I am sure he is. How about sacking all the cover up bishops etc. They have all climbed up the ladder to success but how about the abused children? These priests are nothing but "dirty old men!" which is what they would be called had they not their dog collars to hide behind. Thank God I was not brought up as a Roman Catholic - I feel sorry for them today.
I feel so sorry for these children.
- Amber In Mitcham, Mitcham Surrey, 20/03/2010 23:19
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This is the problem with organized religion, protecting the institution and ensuring everyone keeps their jobs and the money keeps flowing in takes precidence over actually practicing what you preach. If the Catholic Church were a company they would have been closed down or gone of out business due to the activities of their employees. No wonder more and more people today are turning away from organized religion.
- Texas Scot, Austin, Texas, USA, 20/03/2010 16:48
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The Church is finished,and about time.They are quite frankly a con.
- Michael Campbell, Londonderry N Ireland, 20/03/2010 15:34
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fat lot of good his appologising.The RC church needs to release the names of the guilty, then they can be prosecuted and put behind bars where they belong.
Then only one thing remains to be done by the church, compensate the victims, but I fear for them it is too little too late.
- John Bandey, St Pardoux, 20/03/2010 13:57
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Benny saying he's "truly sorry" will make everything okay then, and every child abused by these evil devil men will all be much better.
- Mick, London, 20/03/2010 12:11
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