Pope Benedict XVI's apology to the victims of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy over many years should go a long way towards healing the pain that has been been felt by the victims and the Church's hierarchy.

It is unfortunate that the long-awaited apology – something which Bishop of the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, Father Michael Malone, called for – has failed to satisfy all the victims.

Some have said that the weekend apology should have been made in front of the victims rather than at what was essentially an invitation only mass at St Mary's Cathedral. Others have said that the apology means little if it is not accompanied by compensation.

Both these views belittle what has been a pivotal point in the church's history of handling the issue of sexual abuse.

From all accounts the actual wording of the Pontiff's apology went further that his scripted address – something which shows the depth his personal understanding and regret for what has happened. The Pontiff said he was "deeply sorry"; he has spoken of the shame he and others have felt; he said the perpetrators should be brought to justice; he said the victims deserve to be treated with care and compassion; and, importantly, he wants a changed and safer enviroment within the church structure for young people.

That, on top of the Pontiff's previous apology to victims in the United States, should be enough. As was the case with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to Australia's indigenous people, it should not be about money. Compensation can be pursued through the justice system if individual victims so wish.

While all the attention is on Pope Benedict, the work that our own Bishop Malone has shown in this regard should not be overlooked.

Bishop Malone is one of the few priests to speak publicly on the issue of sex abuse in the church and he too has personally apologised to the victims of sex abuse from within his Diocese.

No amount of compensation can undo the wrong that has been done against these victims. In the case of Anthony Foster, no amount of money will bring back his daughter Emma who committed suicide after being raped by a priest.

But there comes a time when the victims of sexual abuse must act as christians – in the broadest sense of the word – and accept the apology.