AUSTRALIA'S Catholic Church is determined to stamp out paedophilia in its ranks, according to Opposition leader Tony Abbott.

Mr Abbott acknowledged the church he once trained in for the priesthood was at the centre of horrific accusations of child abuse.

Mr Abbott said tens of thousands of people who had been badly let down by people in positions of authority would now have a chance to air their ''heartfelt cries for justice.''

The Opposition Leader said there had been over the years ''some shattering revelations'' made about people in various institutions ''including my own Church.''

But he said he was well aware the leadership of the church was working actively to both address the past, and ensure the problems never re-surfaced.

''I know the current leadership are determined to stamp out this evil,'' he said.

Mr Abbott said the royal commission could be ''a time of healing'' for Australia.

''We support it, we encourage it, we want it to do its work well.''

Originally published as 'Church determined to stamp out evil'