“As the legislation moves forward, the Archdiocese of Washington will continue its dialogue with the council,” said Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese.

“It is inconceivable that with more than 100 world leaders gathered together in one room...they have failed to commit themselves to adequate and binding obligations," said the secretary general of Cidse.

"We simply cannot accept the continuation of a situation that is [most affecting] the people who have contributed least to the problem.”

A report describing in detail failures of church leaders in handling sexual abuse cases in the Archdiocese of Dublin has resulted in calls for further investigations.

Cardinal Cahal Daly was remembered for his "sustained efforts in the promotion of justice and peace in Northern Ireland."

Orthodox Christians in predominantly Muslim Turkey "don't feel that we enjoy our full rights as Turkish citizens," said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the spiritual head of the world's 300 million Orthodox.