Pope to meet Irish bishops on child abuse scandal

They have been invited by the Pope to discuss the Irish Church's response to the child sex abuse scandal.

Four bishops criticised for failing to address concerns about abuse have already resigned, but victims say more must be done to restore public trust.

Last year, a report was highly critical of the Dublin Archdiocese's handling of priests who were suspected sex abusers.

The Murphy Commission laid bare a culture of concealment where Church leaders prioritised the protection of their own institution above that of vulnerable children in their care, and all too often failed to pass on details to the police.

The Pope has said he is "disturbed and distressed" by the report and shares the "outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by Irish people.