Groups which support people who were sexually abused as children have broadly welcomed the "Time to Listen" report launched on Thursday by the Catholic Primate, Archbishop Seán Brady.
Mr Mick Wates, of SOCA UK, said the bishops' realisation of the damage done was "most welcome", as was the acknowledgement by some that they had been more concerned about "damage limitation, not protection of the abused".
Mr John Kelly, of Irish SOCA, said there were "very positive aspects" to the report. But he was concerned the legalistic approach by the church to the issue was still not being addressed. It was "not very compassionate", he said.
Ms Christine Buckley, of the Aislinn Centre, thought some comments by clergy in the report were "very, very honest" and perhaps this was the beginning of a healing process. But she was concerned that there had yet to be a study done on the psychological and emotional effects of physical abuse. She suggested someone such as Prof Hannnah McGee might do so.
Mr Tony Treacey, of the Right of Place group, said that despite the report, the legalistic attitude of the church to the issue remained. Why, if it was sincere, did the church plead that cases be dismissed because of the length of time since the abuse took place, often when "it is blatant that the accused is as guilty as sin?" he asked.
Mr Colm O'Gorman, of the One in Four group, felt a lot in the report was "valuable and should be welcomed". In particular, he said, the emergence of the voice of the clergy was really welcome. The fact they said the church had put protection of the institution first was "a huge step forward".
But he said he was saddened the bishops had attempted to scapegoat other professions (psychologists, psychiatrists and lawyers) in explaining their handling of the scandal.
Some bishops ignored the advice of professionals, he said, while others sent offending priests to professionals who made sure the bishop "heard what he wanted to hear".
He was intrigued that a fifth of bishops did not co-operate with a survey commissioned by themselves, and found it "damning" that 45 per cent cent of them should be satisfied with how they handled the crisis. He said attempts at "spinning" the report were "deeply frustrating", particularly the use of statistics to illustrate the low number of clergy involved in abuse.
He believed the bishops had never properly resourced their Child Protection Office in Maynooth, which employs two people for all 26 dioceses. Its director, Mr Paul Bailey, was "an exemplary professional. Given the resources he could be very effective," Mr O'Gorman said.
He believed that if the phone poll conducted for the report between January and May 2002 was taken now, it would present a different picture. Things had moved on a lot since the BBC documentary Suing the Pope was shown in March 2002, and RTÉ's Cardinal Secrets last October, he said. He could not believe the recommendations did not include one that the church dispense with its legalistic and defensive approach.
