Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has insisted that every allegation of clerical abuse must be reported to gardaí.

One of Australia’s most senior archbishops apologised to victims of sexual abuse by priests today in a message condemning the behaviour and the Roman Catholic church’s failure to properly deal with the problem.

POPE Benedict XVI met victims of sex abuse by priests before flying out of Australia yesterday, wrapping up a visit marked by his historic apology for the scourge of paedophilia in the Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict XVI today privately met Australians who were sexually abused as children by priests today, ending a pilgrimage to the country with a gesture of contrition over a scandal that has rocked the Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict XVI has raised expectations that he would apologise directly to victims of past clergy sexual abuse.