The Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, has again asked for forgiveness over his handling of the clerical sex abuse scandal.
Speaking during his Holy Thursday Homily at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Cardinal Connell asked pardon "of all whom I have offended" in the past, particularly "those who suffered unspeakable abuse by priests of the diocese and experienced a lack of the care that ought to have been provided".
Dr Connell said he was hopeful that steps taken by the Irish Catholic Church in the wake of the scandal will ensure there is no repetition.
He defended himself by saying that when he was criticised for his seeming lack of action and apology on behalf of the Church, he was unable to respond owing to the fact that he had already submitted his record of events to an independent inquiry.
"As I ask pardon of those whom I have offended, I freely forgive whatever has seemed to be unfair to me," he said.
Dr Connell, who offered his resignation three years ago, said this would probably be his last Chrism mass as Archbishop