"Unspeakable harm and suffering" had been caused to victims of abuse at the hands of religious brothers, Cardinal Desmond Connell said yesterday.
At a special Mass to celebrate the bicentenary of the founding of the Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers, Dr Connell prayed for healing for those who had been "so gravely wronged by those who were our brothers". His remarks followed the tendering of an apology once again by the Christian Brothers to all who had been abused by members of the order.
Dr Connell first gave thanks "for the service the brothers gave in this country in the long years when educational opportunity would have been denied to so many without their wonderfully unselfish devotion. Ireland, and the many other places where they have served, are profoundly in their debt."
But, he said, he could not fail to acknowledge that "the history of Edmund Rice's followers has been disfigured and his inheritance dishonoured by the terrible failures of some who have called themselves his sons.
"In place of nurturing the young people committed to their care, they have succumbed to what the Holy Father, speaking of priests who have offended in similar ways, has recently called the most grievous forms of the mystery of iniquity at work in the world. We are conscious of the most unspeakable harm and suffering caused to their victims and the grave scandal that has resulted.
"This is a profoundly difficult moment for the church, not only here in Ireland, but as we know in other parts of the world. Not the least difficult aspect is the fact that, to quote the Pope's words once more, a dark shadow of suspicion has been cast over so many priests and religious who perform their ministry with honesty and integrity and often with heroic self-sacrifice.
"In this moment it is also right that, in a spirit of deep humility and compunction, and conscious of our human weakness, we ask God's forgiveness and his healing. We ask this for ourselves and we ask healing for the victims who have been so gravely wronged by those who were our brothers. And before God we pledge ourselves anew to respond in truth and justice to each of these painful situations".
Tendering an apology on behalf of the Christian Brothers, Brother Daryl Barclay said he accepted "with deep sorrow the painful fact that some who joined our ranks betrayed the vision of Edmund Rice in the most offensive ways".
"We reiterate today our apologies to the survivors of child abuse. These are difficult times for our congregations and for our church, but let us not forget the intense suffering of those who have experienced abuse, nor the challenges we face in bringing about healing and reconciliation," he said.
In his homily, Father Dan O'Connor, of the Education Secretariat of the Dublin Archdiocese, also acknowledged the pain and suffering caused to some who had been in the care of both congregations.
"It is our heartfelt hope that the long process of reconciliation and healing can move forward as we come together in a spirit of respect and forgiveness," he said.