The Church Sex Abuse Scandals Around the World

On the eve of a possible papal apology for decades of sexual abuse by priests, TIME looks back at the evolving response around the world

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Ireland 1936-2009

catholic sex scandals ireland

Fran Caffrey / AFP / Getty Images

Government reports in the deeply Catholic nation last year revealed decades of abuse and cover-up, implicating thousands of church officials, educators and policemen

OUTCOME: The Pope wrote a letter of remorse that was read to the Irish faithful on March 19, 2010

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