The Dutch bishops' conference said it had worked to prevent further sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, but said a recent report by a leading newspaper was "old news."
"The time for praying and apologising is clearly over; we're in a new phase of firmer commitment to prevent all abuse," said Daphne De Roosendaal, conference spokeswoman.
"But while many people know how much the bishops have done, some media reports still give the impression cases from decades ago have only just occurred."
A story published last week in the NRC Handelsblad daily accused more than half of Dutch bishops of complicity in sexual abuse.
