In his Easter address yesterday Pope Benedict XVI made no direct mention of the row that has engulfed the Catholic church over child abuse. In truth, we know what he thinks of the scandal from his pastoral letter to Irish Catholics a fortnight ago. In a heartfelt statement of contrition, Pope Benedict spoke of "the shame and remorse that we all feel" towards the victims of abuse at the hands of Catholic priests dating back decades: "You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry…your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated".

The apology was sincere and absolutely merited by the monstrous nature of the betrayal. The Pope spoke from the heart because he has been prominent in the battle to expose abusers and those who have protected them. It is unfortunate that the Vatican has not been able to maintain that tone. On Good Friday the Pope's personal preacher, Father Raniero Cantalamessa, likened the criticism being levelled at the Catholic Church over child abuse to the "collective violence suffered by the Jews". He later apologised. Meanwhile, the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, said during Easter Mass that the controversy amounted to "petty gossip".

In is perhaps understandable for the Vatican to react so defensively but it is hardly productive. Closer to home, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, yesterday showed far greater sensitivity, talking of the church's shame while "acknowledging our guilt and our need for forgiveness". Repairing the damage caused by the child abuse scandal will be a long process but cannot even start until the Vatican demonstrates the same determination to root out abuse – and the same penitence – as Pope Benedict himself has shown.