A senior Catholic cleric has apologised over the church's handling of a child sex abuse allegation it received about a priest more than 20 years ago.
The statement by Bishop Alan McGuckian was read at masses in the Diocese of Down and Connor this morning.
The diocese covers counties Antrim and Down including the city of Belfast.
Bishop McGuckian apologised for the fact that the diocese had not issued a public statement when a credible allegation of sexual abuse was received in 2004 against a serving priest Fr Patrick O'Neill.
At the time the priest was stood down from ministry in the village of Kircubbin, Co Down while the police investigated.
"A statement was drafted by the diocese at this time but was not issued," Bishop McGuckian said.
"This statement would have empowered other victims to come forward.
"This failure to issue a statement has also compounded the hurt endured by his victims and their families.
"This omission to issue a public statement is a matter of deep regret by the diocese," he said.
In December 2005, Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service directed there should be no prosecution brought against Fr O'Neill.
He remained permanently out of ministry until his death in 2009.
In total the church received two "entirely credible" reports alleging Fr O'Neill had been involved in the sexual abuse of children, including one complaint made recently.
The church also had three other credible allegations against the same priest of the sexual abuse of adults, as well as manipulation and abuse of power.
These allegations were received in 2003, 2005 and 2006 and covered three decades from the 1970s to the 1990s while the priest was working in the Down and Connor diocese.
"On behalf of the Diocese of Down and Connor, I extend my deepest sorrow and unreserved apology to all those who have courageously come forward and to each of their families," Bishop McGuckian said.
"I fully accept that no apology can undo the damage, hurt, trauma and pain that has been caused to the victims and their families.
"I also extend my deepest sorrow and unreserved apology to anyone who suffered abuse at the hands of a priest of the Diocese in whom they had placed their trust.
"The Diocese encourages anyone who has concerns, suspicions or allegations of abuse to come forward and to report that abuse to the statutory authorities or to the Diocese of Down and Connor Safeguarding Office on 028 9049 2798."
Bishop McGuckian was appointed Bishop of Down and Connor in 2024.
The bishop at the time the abuse allegations were received was Patrick Walsh. He died in 2023.
