POPE Benedict today told victims of clerical child abuse in Ireland he was "truly sorry" for their suffering.

In a pastoral letter to be read out at weekend masses across the island, the pontiff admitted some bishops had made grave errors of judgment in dealing with paedophile priests.

"I can only share in the dismay and the sense of betrayal that so many of you have experienced on learning of these sinful and criminal acts and the way Church authorities in Ireland dealt with them," the Pope told abuse survivors.

"You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry."