Vatican confirms talks on Irish abuse report

One priest admitted to abusing more than 100 children, while another was an active paedophile -- raping children of both sexes.

Pope Benedict XVI and Ireland's top two Catholic prelates are to discuss the "painful situation" over a report on child sex abuse by priests there, the Vatican spokesman confirmed Monday.

- I can confirm that the Holy Father has invited (primate of all-Ireland) Cardinal Sean Brady... and Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin... to evaluate the painful situation of the Church in Ireland after the recent publication of the Murphy Commission Report - Federico Lombardi told reporters.

The meeting will take place on Friday, Lombardi said.

The Vatican confirmation came after a spokesman for Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said in Dublin that the country's top diplomat was to meet the pope's envoy to Dublin to voice disappointment at Vatican silence over the report.

Lombardi said the nuncio, Giuseppe Leanza, would also take part in the talks here.

The damning report by judge Yvonne Murphy, released last month after a three-year investigation, concluded that four archbishops routinely covered up abuse by priests and failed to inform police of their crimes.

One priest admitted to abusing more than 100 children, while another was an active paedophile -- raping children of both sexes -- for more than 25 years.

Also Monday, Irish state broadcaster RTE said an Irish bishop was expected to tender his resignation to the pope amid continuing fallout from the report.

The Irish foreign minister told RTE on Sunday he was - deeply disappointed that we have not had a comprehensive statement from the Vatican or indeed from the pope.

- The pope has not responded yet to the appalling revelations of the Murphy inquiry - said Martin.

No time for the meeting between Martin and Leanza has been agreed, but Martin said he would point out to the nuncio that a - substantive response - was needed and - it is the view of the Irish government that there has to be cooperation.

- Any response should be the response of a church and not a state.... The issue is too important, too substantive and obviously of grave concern to all of us. It should be dealt with up front. -

In parallel developments, Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray -- accused by the report of reacting "inexcusably" to child abuse revelations -- has travelled to Rome and is expected to tender his resignation to the pope, RTE reported.

There was no official confirmation of the trip.

The Murphy commission is continuing to investigate the church's handling of abuse allegations in the diocese of Cloyne in southern Ireland