Bishop Willie Walsh has described as 'devastating' the Ryan Report and the forthcoming Dublin report on child abuse in the Catholic Church.
However, the Bishop of Killaloe said they were part of a badly-needed process.
He was speaking before receiving a Reality Lifetime Achievement award.
Meanwhile, Fr Gerry Moloney, the editor of 'Reality' magazine, said it was important for the Church to ensure to the best of its ability that no child or vulnerable person would ever again be hurt, abused or not listened to.
Both clerics said it was also necessary to acknowledge the many good but unreported things in the Church and the countless, wonderful people who are part of it.
