Pope Benedict: Church shaken 'in appalling way'

Pope Benedict has said the Catholic Church had been shaken "in an appalling way" by the revelation of sins committed by clergy members "against people entrusted to their care".

The pontiff made the remarks in a recorded address to the thousands of people at the final Mass of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin.

He said Ireland had been shaped for centuries by a Church that has been a mighty force for good in the world, but he added that its credibility had been undermined.

Pope Benedict did not directly speak about the issue of clerical child sex abuse in Ireland during his message.