Menu
22/03/2010
Bishop Seeks 'Renewal' Of Church
Just days after Pope Benedict XVI apologised to victims of child sex abuse by Catholic priests in Ireland, an Irish bishop has sought "accountability" from the State's inquiry into clerical child sex abuse in Ireland.
On foot of the Pope's pastoral letter to Irish Catholics - where he acknowledged the sense of betrayal in the Church felt by victims and their families - the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin has given his response.
As the Pope's letter admitted there had been "serious mistakes" among bishops in responding to allegations of paedophilia, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said: "Without accountability for the past there will no healing and no trust for the future."
Archbishop Martin described the letter as "part of a strategy of a renewal of the church". Many people "felt it was much stronger than expected," he said.
Commenting, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said there are "things to be welcomed" in Pope Benedict's pastoral letter.
Mr Cowen referred to the "direct apology" from the Pope as well as the acknowledgement that there had been huge dismay felt by many at the way the issue of clerical child sex abuse had been handled.
"The Government will discharge its responsibility, and the Church has to see what way it can ensure its credibility and authority is respected by its own members," he said.
Asked if the State's inquiry into clerical child sex abuse should be extended, Mr Cowen said Government was committed to ensuring independent investigations took place where issues arose, and "that where criminal proceedings are required to be pursued that will always happen".
Meanwhile the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said its audit of child protection practices in all Catholic dioceses in the State has been delayed because some bishops failed to meet a January 7th deadline to provide all the records and information it requested.
See: Abuse Probe Call Gets Stormont Response
(Bmcc/GK)
On foot of the Pope's pastoral letter to Irish Catholics - where he acknowledged the sense of betrayal in the Church felt by victims and their families - the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin has given his response.
As the Pope's letter admitted there had been "serious mistakes" among bishops in responding to allegations of paedophilia, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said: "Without accountability for the past there will no healing and no trust for the future."
Archbishop Martin described the letter as "part of a strategy of a renewal of the church". Many people "felt it was much stronger than expected," he said.
Commenting, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said there are "things to be welcomed" in Pope Benedict's pastoral letter.
Mr Cowen referred to the "direct apology" from the Pope as well as the acknowledgement that there had been huge dismay felt by many at the way the issue of clerical child sex abuse had been handled.
"The Government will discharge its responsibility, and the Church has to see what way it can ensure its credibility and authority is respected by its own members," he said.
Asked if the State's inquiry into clerical child sex abuse should be extended, Mr Cowen said Government was committed to ensuring independent investigations took place where issues arose, and "that where criminal proceedings are required to be pursued that will always happen".
Meanwhile the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said its audit of child protection practices in all Catholic dioceses in the State has been delayed because some bishops failed to meet a January 7th deadline to provide all the records and information it requested.
See: Abuse Probe Call Gets Stormont Response
(Bmcc/GK)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 December 2013
Garda Child Abuse Images Accused Trial Delayed For Five Weeks
A delay of five weeks has been allowed for the completion of a book of evidence in the case of a Garda officer charged with possession of child abuse images. 53-year-old Joe O'Connor is accused of possession of 655 images of child abuse. The accusation dates between 30 July and 02 August 2011. O'Connor is stationed at a city-centre garda station.
Garda Child Abuse Images Accused Trial Delayed For Five Weeks
A delay of five weeks has been allowed for the completion of a book of evidence in the case of a Garda officer charged with possession of child abuse images. 53-year-old Joe O'Connor is accused of possession of 655 images of child abuse. The accusation dates between 30 July and 02 August 2011. O'Connor is stationed at a city-centre garda station.
07 December 2009
Bishop Murray Expected To Resign
An Irish Bishop, whose failures in regard to clerical sex abuse were described as "inexcusable" in the recent Murphy report, is expected to resign during a visit to Rome today.
Bishop Murray Expected To Resign
An Irish Bishop, whose failures in regard to clerical sex abuse were described as "inexcusable" in the recent Murphy report, is expected to resign during a visit to Rome today.
19 February 2010
Sex Abuse Victims Met Archbishop
Victims of alleged clerical child sex abuse and a member of the representative 'One in Four' campaign group are meeting the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin today. Today's meeting follows the summit between Pope Benedict and Irish bishops to discuss the fallout from clerical child abuse scandals.
Sex Abuse Victims Met Archbishop
Victims of alleged clerical child sex abuse and a member of the representative 'One in Four' campaign group are meeting the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin today. Today's meeting follows the summit between Pope Benedict and Irish bishops to discuss the fallout from clerical child abuse scandals.
15 September 2010
Bishop Asks Priests For €1K Towards Compensation
The Bishop of Ferns has gone to the parish priests, asking them to contribute €1,000 each to pay the outstanding bill for abuse compensation. Bishop of Ferns Dr Denis Brennan made the request in a letter to members of the clergy writing that "the consensus at the Deanery meetings was that €1,000 per priest per year would meet our present needs".
Bishop Asks Priests For €1K Towards Compensation
The Bishop of Ferns has gone to the parish priests, asking them to contribute €1,000 each to pay the outstanding bill for abuse compensation. Bishop of Ferns Dr Denis Brennan made the request in a letter to members of the clergy writing that "the consensus at the Deanery meetings was that €1,000 per priest per year would meet our present needs".
07 March 2011
Papal Visit Expected In 2012
Ireland has been selected as the destination for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, paving the way for a Papal visit next year. Although no official confirmation has emerged, The Pope is expected to be the chief celebrant at the Congress, which will likely involve an open air Mass in Dublin's Croke Park in June, 2012.
Papal Visit Expected In 2012
Ireland has been selected as the destination for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, paving the way for a Papal visit next year. Although no official confirmation has emerged, The Pope is expected to be the chief celebrant at the Congress, which will likely involve an open air Mass in Dublin's Croke Park in June, 2012.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
