Rome , Italy ( CNN ) -- The sexual abuse of children is not just a `` heinous crime '' but a `` grave sin '' that offends God and wounds human dignity , Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday after a two-day meeting with Irish Catholic bishops at the Vatican . The weakening of faith has also been a `` significant contributing factor '' in the sexual abuse of minors , the pope said , adding that `` current painful situation will not be resolved quickly . '' The pope 's comments came in a written Vatican statement at the end of the meeting , the largest one yet about the scandal that has rocked the church from Ireland to the Vatican and beyond . A damning report by an independent Irish commission in November found the Catholic Church in Ireland had covered up the `` widespread '' abuse of children from 1975 to 2004 . It led to the resignation of four Irish bishops late last year and prompted the pope to say at the time he was `` deeply disturbed and distressed '' by the report 's findings . A group representing alleged victims of abuse said the pope had not gone far enough . Victims are `` angered his Holiness did not see fit to take the necessary firm action against those in the Irish Church hierarchy who protected pedophiles , '' said John Kelly , the founder of Irish Survivors of Child Abuse . The pope `` has clearly failed the victims and the Irish people , '' he added . Asking the bishops to address the problem `` shows lack of vision , especially as it is the Irish bishops who are themselves the problem , '' Kelly said in the written statement . There was no discussion at this week 's meeting about further resignations , said papal spokesman Father Federico Lombardi . Those at the meeting `` recognized that this grave crisis has led to a breakdown in trust in the church 's leadership and has damaged ( the church 's ) witness to the gospel and its moral teaching , '' the Vatican statement said . `` The bishops spoke frankly of the sense of pain and anger , betrayal , scandal and shame expressed to them on numerous occasions by those who had been abused , '' it said . It said `` significant measures have now been taken '' to ensure the safety of children in the church . `` For his part , the Holy Father observed that the sexual abuse of children and young people is not only a heinous crime , but also a grave sin which offends God and wounds the dignity of the human person created in his image , '' the statement said . The pope challenged the bishops to address past problems with `` determination and resolve '' and to face the current crisis with `` honesty and courage . '' `` The Holy Father also pointed to the more general crisis of faith affecting the church and he linked that to the lack of respect for the human person , and how the weakening of faith has been a significant contributing factor in the phenomenon of the sexual abuse of minors , '' the statement said . `` He stressed the need for a deeper theological reflection on the whole issue , and called for an improved human , spiritual , academic and pastoral preparation both of candidates for the priesthood and religious life and of those already ordained and professed . '' The pope wrote a pastoral letter to Irish Catholics to be issued during Lent , the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday , which happens tomorrow , and Easter , the Vatican said . `` The Holy Father has asked that this Lent be set aside as a time for imploring an outpouring of God 's mercy and the holy spirit 's gifts of holiness and strength upon the church in Ireland , '' the statement said . At a Mass in Rome on Monday before meeting the pope , the Irish Catholic bishops prayed for the victims of the abuse in Ireland , said their spokesman , Martin Long . One of the bishops said Sunday that the church in Ireland had been badly damaged by the revelations of abuse and cover-up . `` I would admit quite frankly what everybody else knows , shouted from house tops , that the church has been seriously wounded , '' Bishop Joseph Duffy said in Rome . `` This has done an immense damage to the authority of the church as the mouthpiece of the gospel of Jesus Christ . Of that there is no doubt , '' he said . The pope already met in December with senior Irish bishops about the report , produced by the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation . The Irish government created the commission in 2006 to examine abuse allegations .
Weakening of faith a `` significant contributing factor '' in child sex abuse , pope says . Score: 6 Pope challenges bishops to face current crisis with `` honesty and courage '' NEW : Victims group says pope `` clearly failed the victims and the Irish people ''