Paul Cullen
Catholic bishops say they have no immediate plans for a national day of atonement for the sexual abuse perpetrated by priests.
While the proposal has been mooted both within and outside the church, the bishops prefer a approach from the grass-roots up according to their spokesman, Mr Martin Long.
"In time everything will be considered, but the priority for the bishops is to deal with the issue at local level first, in the proper pastoral sense."
Mr Long said the church had had extensive contact with victims' groups, and their needs and wishes would be "paramount" in its response to the hurt caused by clerical sexual abuse.
It was better to "act appropriately rather than quickly". A national day of atonement could be seen as "putting the cart before the horse," he suggested.
The bishop had liaised with priests he said, and a number of proposals had emerged from this, including the saying of prayers of the faithful.
Some bishops are believed to have concerns that a day of atonement could be viewed by critics as an attempt by the church to bring closure to the issue.Rite and Reason: page 12