ARCHBISHOP Eamon Martin has apologised to clerical abuse victims for failures in the Catholic Church ahead of attending a child safeguarding summit in the Vatican.
The Primate of All Ireland told victims he was "truly sorry" and there were "too many failures to listen, to understand, and to do what was right and just".
It comes ahead of summit convened by Pope Francis at the Vatican, which begins tomorrow, on the protection of minors in the Catholic Church.
Dr Martin said he met with victims in recent weeks and "heard about how you were hurt and violated, and about how your young lives were turned into a nightmare".
"I am truly sorry for what was done to you," he said.
"Abuse broke your heart and spirit and sometimes you couldn't tell anyone for years.
"And then – when all you wanted was to be believed and supported by the Church, and your abuser to be stopped from harming others – there were too many failures to listen, to understand, and to do what was right and just.
"I am truly sorry for these failures.
"No wonder many of you find it difficult to forgive. You are still shocked by every new revelation which reopens your wounds and makes you feel the Church still hasn't learned or fully understood."
He added: "I know that nothing I say can undo the terrible wrong you have endured, but I once more commit to doing all I can to ensure that Church activities are as safe as possible for children and vulnerable people."
Last year when Pope Francis visited Ireland, he said he was ashamed of the Catholic Church's failure to adequately address the "repellent crimes" of sex abuse by clergy.
A series of abuse scandals over the years have rocked the Catholic Church in Ireland, including the Fr Malachy Finegan case which erupted in the north last year.
Finegan, who died in 2002, has been accused of sexual and physical abuse against boys on church premises and at St Colman's College in Newry where he was a teacher. He was never questioned by police or prosecuted.
Ahead of the summit, Catholic religious orders around the world have also apologised for failing to respond to sexual abuse perpetrated by priests.
The Union of Superiors General and the International Union of Superiors General will each send around a dozen representatives to the summit.
In a statement, the groups said they were ashamed at how they had failed the most vulnerable they were meant to serve.
They also condemned recent revelations of priests and bishops who sexually abused seminarians and nuns – an abuse of power that has largely gone unpunished since the victims are adults.
While noting the Pope's summit is focused on the protection of minors, the groups pledged to find a response.
"This is a matter of grave and shocking concern," they said.
