The Sisters of Mercy today issued an unconditional apology to all children who suffered abuse in orphanages and industrial schools run by the order.
In a forthright statement the order said past public apologies were considered "less than complete" and "conditional" by those "hurt and damaged while in our care".
"Now without reservation we apologise unconditionally to each one of you for the suffering we have caused. We ask forgiveness for our failure to care for you and protect you in the past and our failure to hear you in the present."
The statement also clearly took responsibility for abuse that took place in places under the Sisters of Mercy control, in a departure from previous statements which blamed a lack of resources.
"We recognise that this statement may be considered too little too late. We make it in the hope that it will be a further step in the long process of healing the pain that we as a Congregation have caused."
The order also apologised to sisters in the order who were put in a situation of caring without adequate supports or resources.
Allegations of abuse at institutions run by the Sisters of Mercy were contained in the Dear Daughter documentary, screened on RTÉ in February.
The Sisters of Mercy is one of the 18 organisations affiliated to the Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI).
Eighteen of these religious organisations negotiated with the Government for contribution of €128 million (in cash and property) towards a compensation deal for victims of abuse in residential care.
The Comptroller and Auditor General Mr John Purcell has reported that this compensation scheme could cost the State as much as €1 billion.
