The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland remains under intense pressure to step down despite apologising for not alerting police about a paedophile priest.

Victims of clerical sexual abuse continued to call for Cardinal Sean Brady's resignation for his role in a meeting 35 years ago where two children abused by Father Brendan Smyth were asked to take a vow of silence as part of an internal church investigation.

The primate told a congregation in St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh - where he said Mass to celebrate the feast day of Ireland's patron saint - he would take a period of time to reflect on his future.

But Andrew Madden, who in 1995 became the first person in Ireland to go public with an abuse lawsuit against the church, dismissed the cardinal's remarks.

"The notion of careful reflection is nonsense - he's had 35 years to reflect on what he did then," Mr Madden said. "He's either going to go or he's not going to go and if he doesn't the Catholic Church can't pretend to be serious in any way about the issue of child protection and about reaching out to people who have been abused."

Another abuse survivor and campaigner, Christine Buckley, said: "I still think that Cardinal Brady should do the honourable thing and resign. The apology, while it's welcome, isn't enough at this stage. He's head of the Catholic Church in Ireland and he's shown no leadership in this regard because he knew about this for 35 years."

After the controversial meeting in 1975, senior clergymen removed Smyth from some priestly duties and recommended psychiatric treatment.

But critics have said the failure to notify police at the time allowed the paedophile to carry out a further 18-year reign of terror against children.

Addressing parishioners inside St Patrick's Cathedral, Cardinal Brady said sorry to those who felt let down.

"This week a painful episode from my own past has come before me. I have listened to reaction from people to my role in events 35 years ago," he said. "I want to say to anyone who has been hurt by any failure on my part that I apologise to you with all my heart. I also apologise to all those who feel I have let them down. Looking back, I am ashamed that I have not always upheld the values that I profess and believe in. Be certain that I will be reflecting carefully as we enter into Holy Week, Easter and Pentecost."