The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, has admitted that the church has not properly addressed the issue of access for the disabled to its facilities.
Speaking at St Vincent's Centre for Deaf People in Dublin, he said: "I want to be the first to admit that I have not brought my mindset around to thinking fully in terms of making church facilities and ministries accessible to people with disabilities.
"The disadvantage suffered by persons with disabilities was just not attended to. I think that we all have an obligation to apologise for our lack of sensitivity, for our inability to listen."
Dr Martin announced that an audit of every parish in the Dublin Diocese would be carried out to ensure that ramps were provided for wheelchairs in church buildings and that water fonts were accessible.
He said that he expected to be able to report on progress made in a year's time.