"With recognition of the importance of these matters that have profoundly impacted the lives of the children, their mothers and the community at large, the commission determined to refer this issue to the Holy See for further review," the cardinal said.

The two-part Spotlight report claimed "priests fathering illegitimate children" is a worldwide and "systemic problem" in the Catholic Church.

Reporter Michael Rezendes wrote that "thousands of people across the world," including in the United States in "cities big and small" -- have "strong evidence that they are the sons and daughters of Catholic priests." "The children say they're often neglected or shamed into silence," according to the reporter.

One man featured in the Globe report is an Irishman named Vincent Doyle, who according to the paper was 28 when he learned his godfather, a Catholic priest, was actually his biological father. But the priest had died and Doyle had little information, the newspaper said.

According to the Globe, he approached the Irish bishops about his situation, which ultimately led to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin giving some funds to help Doyle found Coping: Children of Priests International. Doyle also had a copy of a letter about his situation that he gave to Pope Francis during a general audience.

The website says Coping is "a voluntary mental health organization that promotes the well-being of children of Catholic priests and religious as well as their parents worldwide. We work alongside the church encouraging openness toward people affected by this issue."

The Globe reported that Archbishop Martin feels bishops can and should make priest "honor their financial and emotional obligations to their children."

"Fundamentally, a child has a right to know their father and the father has fundamental obligations toward his son or daughter," the archbishop told the newspaper.

In his statement, Cardinal O'Malley said the commission he heads "functions as an advisory body to the Holy Father, proposing norms and practices for protecting minors from sexual abuse."

"In particular, the commission seeks to assist dioceses and religious orders throughout the world as they implement education and training programs for the prevention of sexual abuse," he said. "It is not within the charge of the commission to become involved with individual cases."