Monsignor Charles Scicluna, the promoter of justice within the Vatican's all powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is tasked with investigating sex claims against clergy.
In recent weeks the Vatican has been beset by a series of abuse cases that have emerged in Ireland, America, Germany and Austria and it has also faced claims of covering up and protecting offenders.
Speaking at a ceremony in St Peter's Basilica, Monsignor Scicluna told priests who had gathered at a service for victims to pray for them and for clergy who had "perpetuated abuse."
Monsignor Scicluna then quoted a famous Gospel passage in which Christ had said: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea."
Then speaking of abusing priests he added: "It would be better for them, if there crimes were their cause of death in this life because for them eternal damnation in the fires of Hell will be greater."
Monsignor Scicluna added: "You need to be wary of friends and companions who would lead you down the path of temptation and you must cut them away.
"The Lord was clear on this that it is better to enter the Kingdom of God without a foot, eye, hand then to into the inextinguishable fires of Hell.
"Little children are a holy icon, they cannot be overturned, muddied, abused or destroyed. Christ said let the children come to me but don't obstruct their path, don't let them became objects of your impure covetousness."
Earlier his year Monsignor Scicluna said that between 2001 and until now he has dealt with 3000 cases covering the last 50 years.
Last week at a meeting of the all powerful Italian Bishops Confrence, Monsignor Mariano Crociata, secretary general, said there had been around "100 abuse cases in Italy during the last ten years."