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01/06/2010
Vatican Announce Abuse Probe Team
A special inquiry team is to carry out a "root and branch" investigation into sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in Ireland, according to the Vatican.
The Apostolic Visitation, as it is known, was first announced by Pope Benedict in a letter to the Catholics of Ireland in March.
The team includes five senior prelates, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, retired Archbishop of Westminster and Cardinal O'Malley, Boston, USA as well as Archbishop Timothy Dolan, New York, Archbishop Thomas Collins, Toronto, and Archbishop Terence Prendergast of Ottawa.
The team is widely regarded as one consisting of "heavy weights" within the English-speaking element of the church, with many of the members having been previously involved in investigating similar matters. However, some doubts have been expressed over the absence of a lay member.
In a statement, released yesterday, a Vatican spokesman said four "apostolic visitors will set out to explore more deeply questions concerning the handling of cases of abuse and the assistance owed to the victims".
The statement said: "Through this Visitation, the Holy See intends to offer assistance to the bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful as they seek to respond adequately to the situation caused by the tragic cases of abuse perpetrated by priests and religious upon minors.
"It is also intended to contribute to the desired spiritual and moral renewal that is already being vigorously pursued by the Church in Ireland."
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said he was looking forward to receiving the formal document which is expected to "define the nature and the precise terms and objectives of the visitation".
Dr Martin welcomed the visitation, which will evaluate the current response to victims and the quality of the assistance that the Church in Ireland owes to survivors.
(DW/BMcC)
The Apostolic Visitation, as it is known, was first announced by Pope Benedict in a letter to the Catholics of Ireland in March.
The team includes five senior prelates, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, retired Archbishop of Westminster and Cardinal O'Malley, Boston, USA as well as Archbishop Timothy Dolan, New York, Archbishop Thomas Collins, Toronto, and Archbishop Terence Prendergast of Ottawa.
The team is widely regarded as one consisting of "heavy weights" within the English-speaking element of the church, with many of the members having been previously involved in investigating similar matters. However, some doubts have been expressed over the absence of a lay member.
In a statement, released yesterday, a Vatican spokesman said four "apostolic visitors will set out to explore more deeply questions concerning the handling of cases of abuse and the assistance owed to the victims".
The statement said: "Through this Visitation, the Holy See intends to offer assistance to the bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful as they seek to respond adequately to the situation caused by the tragic cases of abuse perpetrated by priests and religious upon minors.
"It is also intended to contribute to the desired spiritual and moral renewal that is already being vigorously pursued by the Church in Ireland."
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said he was looking forward to receiving the formal document which is expected to "define the nature and the precise terms and objectives of the visitation".
Dr Martin welcomed the visitation, which will evaluate the current response to victims and the quality of the assistance that the Church in Ireland owes to survivors.
(DW/BMcC)
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