THE papal apology to the thousands of Australians who have been victims of predatory priests was genuine and heartfelt. Benedict XVI is apparently much more determined to tackle the problem of clerical sexual abuse than was his predecessor.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the department he used to head as Cardinal Ratzinger, has spent much more time on this issue since he became pope, and much less on heresy-hunting.

It is hard to imagine a bigger insult to victims than John Paul II gave when he appointed the disgraced Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Bernard Law, to a sinecure as archpriest of one of Rome's most important basilicas, Santa Maria Maggiore.

Law had systematically covered up and denied abuse by priests, moving pedophiles from parish to parish to offend again until public revulsion and an unprecedented vote of no-confidence by 50 priests forced his resignation.

Benedict understands that abuse is a "grave betrayal of trust", "evil" and that its perpetrators must be "brought to justice".

He wants to leave individual aspects to local bishops, which is appropriate. But he suggested in his speech that the bishops are "effectively addressing this serious pastoral problem", and many victims have good reason to doubt that. It is hard to disagree with victims that it was the least the Pope could have done, and that what is really required is action.

The church has improved its understanding of abuse and its systems for dealing with it in the past decade, but it still acts as an institution, not the body of Christ. Too often, the response is still how can it minimise damage to the church, even to the point of pretending that it does not exist as an entity when it is sued.

Sexual abuse — or more particularly the cover-up — has done incalculable damage to the church's standing and integrity. Most of us understand that any group as big as the church will contain those who seek to take advantage.

But it is hard to understand when the hierarchy protects abusers and denies justice. The apology is a fine first step. But what comes next?

BENEDICT XVI

July 19, 2008 Says he is "deeply sorry for the pain and suffering" of victims of child sex abuse by clergy in Australia.

April 2008 Said he was "deeply ashamed" of the child sex abuse scandal in the church and that the issue had sometimes been "very badly handled" by church officials.

September 2006 Said he was "deeply sorry" for remarks in a speech that linked Islam with violence, triggering outrage in the Muslim world.

JOHN PAUL II

2001 During a trip to Greece, made a sweeping apology for wrongs committed by Roman Catholics against Orthodox Christians.

2001 Issued a formal apology to the indigenous peoples of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands for injustices perpetrated by Roman Catholic missionaries.

2000 Visiting a Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, said the church was "deeply saddened by the hatred, acts of persecution and displays of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews by Christians at any time and in any place".

2000 Asked forgiveness for sins of Catholics, including wrongs inflicted on Jews, women and minorities.