Lighting the candles of atonement will bring to mind those who have been left “with lifelong suffering as a result of abuse, whose trust was so deeply betrayed and whose faith has been so cruelly tested within the sanctity of the Church”.

“I have at times failed to realise how easily my own words and approach can unintentionally come across as hurtful or defensive to those who have been betrayed by Church leaders,” admits Archbishop Eamon Martin at Safeguarding Conference.