Sydney Catholic Archbishop Cardinal George Pell has urged victims of sexual abuse by priests to report them to the police.
His prompting follows a pastoral letter by Melbourne's Archbishop Dennis Hart that was read out in every Catholic Mass across the city on the weekend.
"As Archbishop of Melbourne, I once again express my deep sorrow and offer a sincere and unreserved apology to all victims of sexual abuse, and to their families," Archbishop Hart said in the letter.
Cardinal Pell echoed Archbishop Hart's concerns, by pledging to seek justice for victims of sexual abuse by priests.
"I wholeheartedly endorse what Archbishop Hart says in his pastoral letter on sexual abuse," he said in a statement.
"Archbishop Hart's letter addresses the local situation in Melbourne, and Melbourne's response to sexual abuse.
"But in his apology to the victims, in his concern that they be treated compassionately and justly, and in his sense of desolation and betrayal at the crimes priests have committed, he speaks for me too.
"Sexual abuse is an evil which has no place in the Church, and those who have committed these crimes deserve the full force of the law.
"I join with Archbishop Hart in encouraging victims to come forward to the police, and with him re-dedicate myself to uncovering abuse, to caring for victims and to protecting children and those who are vulnerable.
"Sexual abuse of children is a horrifying crime. It causes immense, sometimes life-long harm to those who are attacked.
"That Catholic priests and members of religious orders are among the worst abusers fills all Catholics, including myself, with horror and disgust."
