Never again

While “errors of judgement and omissions” stand at the heart of the sexual abuse scandal in Ireland, “significant measures have now been taken to ensure the safety of children and young people” with the “commitment” to cooperation with state and Church authorities “to guarantee that the Church’s standards, policies and procedures represent best practice in this area”. It was reaffirmed by the Irish bishops at the end of their meeting with Benedict XVI and the cardinals of the Roman Curia in a communiqué released, in February 16th, by the Holy See Press Office. In the three sessions, two in February 15th and the last one, in 16th, Benedict XVI and the Irish bishops discussed the sexual abuse of children committed by Irish priests and religious.A sin which offends God and the human person. According to the statement, “each of the Irish Bishops offered his own observations and suggestions. The Bishops spoke frankly of the sense of pain and anger, betrayal, scandal and shame expressed to them on numerous occasions by those who had been abused”. “For his part – continues the communiqué -, the Holy Father observed that the sexual abuse of children and young people is not only a heinous crime, but also a grave sin which offends God and wounds the dignity of the human person” and urged the bishops to “address the problems of the past with determination and resolve, and to face the present crisis with honesty and courage”. Benedict XVI also expressed “the hope that the present meeting would help to unify the Bishops and enable them to speak with one voice in identifying concrete steps aimed at bringing healing to those who had been abused, encouraging a renewal of faith in Christ”. The statement reports that “the Holy Father also pointed to the more general crisis of faith affecting the Church and he linked that to the lack of respect for the human person and how the weakening of faith has been a significant contributing factor in the phenomenon of the sexual abuse of minors”. Hence Benedict XVI stressed the need for “a deeper theological reflection on the whole issue, and called for an improved human, spiritual, academic and pastoral preparation both of candidates for the priesthood and religious life and of those already ordained and professed”. The communiqué of the Holy See Press Office also reports that the Irish Bishops had the opportunity to discuss with the Pontiff a draft of the Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father to the Catholics of Ireland that will be issued during the coming season of Lent.“Frank and open” meeting”. Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland, spoke of “a frank and open meeting” during the final press conference held at Vatican Radio on the afternoon of 16 February. Emphasizing “the strong encouragement” received “from the Pope and the cardinals of the Roman Curia in managing this difficult situation by deepening dialogue with the victims [of child abuse], supporting them, and dedicating ourselves to the spiritual renewal that is the best defence of the dignity of the human person”, Cardinal Brady reaffirmed that his Church “intends to collaborate closely with the judicial authorities” and pointed out that the meeting with the Holy Father was not intended to produce “any indication of specific measures”, but “to offer to the Pope some suggestions to help him put the finishing touches to his imminent Pastoral Letter”. “The victims remain our priority and must have the final word – continued Cardinal Brady -. To regain our credibility we must be ready to support humiliation and bear witness with our life to the faith we proclaim”. With regard to the papal appeal for unity, the Primate gave his assurance: “Our unity has never been so deep; in these two days we have experienced almost a mini-synod”. Learning how to share. The Most Rev. Joseph Duffy, Bishop of Clogher, observed: “We prepared ourselves very seriously for this meeting and we found great openness in the Pope. He is a wonderful listener and answers every question”. “We deserve and we accept the anger of the victims and their families – maintained the Bishop of Ferns, Dennis Brennan -. We have in many cases managed this crisis badly, but the Pope’s encouragement is a source of great consolation for us”. “We come from a secretive culture – admitted Bishop Duffy -, but now we must learn the sharing in spirit not only of unity but also of truth and humility. Bishop Michael Smith of Meath underlined the fact that counselling centres are active in the dioceses and that “hundreds of people are involved in the protection of children and to prevent any repetition of the abuses”. The Irish bishops also explained that the question of resignations is the competence not of the Irish Church but of the Holy See. Replying to a journalist who had asked about a possible visit of the Pope to Ireland, Cardinal Brady concluded: “I invited him many months ago. On this occasion there was no time to speak about it”.