Pope Offers Apology, Not Penalty, for Sex Abuse Scandal - NYTimes.com

But the pope did not require that Roman Catholic leaders be disciplined for past mistakes as some victims were hoping, nor did he clarify what critics see as contradictory Vatican rules they fear allow abuse to continue unpunished.

In the letter, Benedict also directly addressed bishops. “It cannot be denied that some of you and your predecessors failed, at times grievously, to apply the long-established norms of canon law to the crime of child abuse,” he wrote.

He added that bishops should also “continue to cooperate with the civil authorities in their area of competence.”

Pope Offers Apology, Not Penalty, for Sex Abuse Scandal - NYTimes.com

PASTORAL LETTER
OF THE HOLY FATHER
POPE BENEDICT XVI
TO THE CATHOLICS OF IRELAND

This pastoral letter is available at:  http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/letters/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20100319_church-ireland_en.html