Published Monday, 15 February 2010
In a letter to Pope Benedict XVI, victims insist inaction over the scandals had created resentment towards the Catholic church in a once devout country.
The Pontiff is holding unprecedented two-day talks with 24 Irish bishops at the Vatican over the devastating sexual abuse revelations.
The letter, written by abuse survivor John Kelly, was expected to be handed to the Pope by the Irish senior clerics in Rome.
Mr Kelly stated said it was entirely inappropriate for the Vatican to stand idly by.
"The secular powers in Ireland appear paralysed to bring to civil justice some of those who carried out acts of horrific abuse as well as those who assisted by acts of omission or even outright collusion after the fact," Mr Kelly said.
"In addition the religious orders to whom those persons belong remain intact and continue to operate within and outside the state.
"This has led to popular feelings of resentment in a country that was once a bastion of Catholic faith and hope."
In the letter Mr Kelly said the Vatican must compensate the state for the fall-out from the revelations.
He also called for the Pontiff to set-up a special commission to investigate the misconduct of religious orders and the priests who carried out the abuse.
"In addition we ask that you, on behalf of the universal Catholic Church, accept that there is a moral responsibility to indemnify the Irish Nation for the damages arising from the abuse scandals and that it is entirely inappropriate for the Catholic Church to stand idly by at this time," the letter stated.
The 10-paragraph note, dated February 8th, also asked for Pope Benedict to come to Ireland and help restore the faith that has been "shaken so profoundly" after establishing a commission.
Meetings between the Irish Bishops and the Pontiff were held in the Vatican throughout Monday, with a further session planned for Tuesday morning.
Pope Benedict and up to seven of his senior Cardinals and aides were due to attend.
All-Ireland Primate Cardinal Sean Brady opened the summit with a presentation, before each bishop was to be given seven minutes to speak.
Earlier, the bishops celebrated mass in St Peter's Basilica at the tomb of St Peter, close to the burial place of Pope John Paul II.
A spokesman for the Bishops said: "Prayers were offered for the survivors of abuse, the people, priests and religious of Ireland and for the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI.
"Prayers were also offered for the success of the meeting, which takes place today and tomorrow in the Vatican."
Four bishops have already resigned over the damning Murphy report, which unveiled a catalogue of child abuse and subsequent cover-ups over three decades by the Catholic hierarchy in Dublin.