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In a pastoral letter to be read out at weekend masses across the island, the pontiff admitted some bishops had made grave errors of judgement in dealing with paedophile priests.

"I can only share in the dismay and the sense of betrayal that so many of you have experienced on learning of these sinful and criminal acts and the way Church authorities in Ireland dealt with them," the Pope told abuse survivors.

"You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry."

In the much-anticipated letter, Pope Benedict acknowledged that many victims who were brave enough to speak out found no one would listen.

The pontiff admitted there had been "a misplaced concern for the reputation of the Church and the avoidance of scandal, resulting in failure to apply existing canonical penalties and to safeguard the dignity of every person".

He said decisive action was needed to restore Irish people's respect and goodwill towards the Church and called for the clergy's continued co-operation with civil authorities in addressing child abuse.

"In order to recover from this grievous wound, the Church in Ireland must first acknowledge before the Lord and before others the serious sins committed against defenceless children," he added.

"Such an acknowledgement, accompanied by sincere sorrow for the damage caused to these victims and their families, must lead to a concerted effort to ensure the protection of children from similar crimes in the future."

The pontiff also expressed willingness in his letter to meet with victims.

Revelations of decades of sickening abuse and subsequent cover-ups have rocked the Irish Catholic Church to its foundations.

While directed to the island's faithful, the letter will also have wider relevance for other countries hit by abuse scandals in recent times - including the pontiff's native Germany.

'Shame and remorse'

The unprecedented note comes as head of the Catholic Church in Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady continues to resist calls to resign over his handling of historic abuse allegations that saw victims sign confidentiality deals.

The under-pressure primate, who has previously said he would take a period of time to reflect on his future, issued the letter to morning mass-goers at St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh.

"In the name of the Church, Pope Benedict openly expresses the shame and remorse that we all feel about the abuse that has occurred," the cardinal told the congregation.

"Throughout the letter Pope Benedict talks about the need for healing, repentance and renewal.

"He expresses the depth of the pain that has been caused and acknowledges that some people find it difficult even to go inside the doors of a church after all that has occurred."

Cardinal Brady urged people to read the letter with an open heart and in a spirit of faith.

"No one imagines that the present painful situation will be resolved quickly," he added.

"Yet with perseverance, prayer and working together in unity, the Holy Father says we can be confident that the Church in Ireland will experience a season of rebirth and spiritual renewal."

The letter was promised by the Pope after a meeting last December with Cardinal Brady and the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin.

Archbishop Martin - the second most senior Catholic in Ireland - said the pastoral message was a further step in the Church's renewal and healing process.

"I welcome the Pope's expression of apology and his recognition of the suffering and betrayal experienced by survivors," he added.

"The Pope recognises the failures of Church authorities in how they dealt with sinful and criminal acts."

© Press Association