Catholic archbishops in the UK have used their Easter sermons to admit the Church's "guilt" and "shame" over sex abuse.

At the Vatican Pope Benedict XVI said Easter brings a message of pardon, goodness and truth but made no mention of the cover-up accusations which have rocked the Church.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, who caused controversy by suggesting the Catholic Church in Ireland had "lost all credibility" over the abuse revelations, did not address the issue in his own sermon.

But in a radio interview Dr Rowan Williams said: "I didn't honestly think I was saying anything that had not been said by others about the Irish Church, including leaders of the Irish Church."

Speaking at Westminster Cathedral, the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, said: "In recent weeks the serious sins committed within the Catholic community have been much talked about. For our part, we have been reflecting on them deeply, acknowledging our guilt and our need for forgiveness."

Easter Sunday Mass at Dublin's Pro Cathedral was briefly interrupted as protesters placed children's shoes at the altar to represent the victims of clerical abuse. Around five people walked to the steps of the altar and one man shouted "shame" at Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, who was celebrating the packed Mass.