The Pope has said he is "deeply disturbed and distressed" by the sexual abuse of children by priests in Ireland.
Pope Outraged By Irish Priests' Sex Scandal
11:11pm UK, Friday December 11, 2009
The Pope has said he is "deeply disturbed and distressed" by the sexual abuse of children by priests in Ireland.
The Vatican said the Pontiff shared the shame felt by so many in Ireland
He said he shared the betrayal and shame felt by Irish Catholics after meeting senior bishops in Rome.
He now plans to write a letter to the Catholics of Ireland.
In a statement issued by the Vatican, Pope Benedict said he discussed the harrowing detail and cover-up of allegations against priests in the Dublin Archdiocesen as detailed in the inquiry report with Cardinal Sean Brady and Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
"The Holy Father was deeply disturbed and distressed by its contents," it said.
Irish child abuse report
"He wishes once more to express his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and by society at large."
The Vatican said the Pontiffshared the outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland, and that he was united with them in prayer at this difficult time in the life of the Church.
The statement added: "He assures all concerned that the Church will continue to follow this grave matter with the closest attention in order to understand better how these shameful events came to pass and how best to develop effective and secure strategies to prevent any recurrence."
The Murphy report detailed allegations against a sample 46 priests who served in Dublin between 1975 and 2004 and found that several bishops, including the Bishop of Limerick, Donal Murray, mishandled complaints against priests.
Bishop Murray has also been in Rome all week and is understood to be to be preparing to resign.