Pope 'sorry' over abuse scandal
THE Pope has personally apologised to the victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.
In a pastoral letter, posted on the Vatican website, the leader of the Catholic Church said he was "truly sorry" for their suffering.
In a direct message to the priests who abused children, Pope Benedict said those involved "betrayed the trust that was placed in you by innocent young people and their parents, and you must answer for it before Almighty God and before properly constituted tribunals".
He also admitted there had been "serious mistakes" among bishops in responding to allegations of paedophilia.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE POPE'S PASTORAL LETTER IN FULL
The letter will be read out to Catholics across the Province at masses on Saturday and Sunday.
Speaking to the victims of abuse and their families, the pontiff said: "You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated.
He added: "Speaking to you as a pastor concerned for the good of all God's children, I humbly ask you to consider what I have said. I pray that, by drawing nearer to Christ and by participating in the life of his Church – a Church purified by penance and renewed in pastoral charity – you will come to rediscover Christ's infinite love for each one of you.
"I am confident that in this way you will be able to find reconciliation, deep inner healing and peace."
On Friday, health minister Michael McGimpsey said a state inquiry to discover the extent of historic institutional and clerical child abuse in Northern Ireland "should be considered".
The minister's recommendations come after the church was hit with fresh revelations that two accused priests agreed to pay 45,000 and 12,000 respectively to their alleged victims in out-of-court settlements.
On Wednesday the primate, Cardinal Brady told a congregation at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh – where he said Mass to celebrate the feast day of Ireland's patron saint – that he would take a period of time to reflect on his future.
But those affected by abuse said he should go now.
Another bishop from the Down and Connor diocese said it could take "up to a year" for the full scale of sex abuse scandal to become apparent.
Bishop Donal McKeown said the Church had set in motion a process to "audit all the cases" of abuse.
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