Pain and shame

The Holy See “re-echoes the sense of shame and betrayal which the Holy Father expressed in his Letter to the Catholics of Ireland regarding the sinful and criminal acts that were at the root of this particular crisis”. The phrase is contained in a summary of the findings of the Apostolic Visitation in Ireland, whose final report was presented to the press on March 20 at Saint Patrick’s College of Maynooth, Ireland. The document points out that the visitation was “pastoral in nature”, that it enabled to “to see just how much the shortcomings of the past gave rise to an inadequate understanding of and reaction to the terrible phenomenon of the abuse of minors, not least on the part of various Bishops and Religious Superiors”.Prevention and formation. The document underlines that the “Guidelines” contained in the previous 2008 document “Safeguarding Children” provide for several crucial measures for safeguarding and preventing misdeeds to this regard; first and foremost “to involve the faithful and ecclesiastic structures in the work of prevention and formation;” and it reiterates full availability “to closely cooperate with the competent civil authorities”. In another chapter the Archbishops of the visited Archdioceses gave assurance that all newly discovered cases of abuse are promptly brought before both the competent civil authority and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith”. For authentic priestly identity. In addition to assistance to the victims of abuse the document also deals with the perpetrators of abuse (priests and religious) and of those unjustly accused. Thus it is stated that bishops and religious superiors, in collaboration with the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church, should: “formulate guidelines for handling the varied cases of those who have been accused, but in whose case the Director of Public Prosecution has decided not to proceed”. At the same time, the Summary findings Report states that it will be necessary “formulate policies regarding the falsely accused and their return to ministry and to formulate policies regarding the pastoral care of those who are convicted of abuse”. As regards formation in seminaries and religious institutions, the Vatican document states that it is necessary “to ensure that the formation provided is rooted in authentic priestly identity, offering a more systematic preparation for a life of priestly celibacy by maintaining a proper equilibrium between human, spiritual and ecclesial dimensions”. As relates to the formation of candidates to the priestly minister and religious life, the Vatican document highlights the importance “to introduce more consistent admission criteria” and “to show greater concern for the intellectual formation of seminarians”. The document mentions the reflection on the current model of the dioceses with a view “to adapting diocesan structures to make them better suited to the present-day mission of the Church in Ireland”. “Moving forward”. There will be no interference with the ongoing efforts of the Church in Ireland, the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, or the various state agencies with child abuse by priests or religious. It was underlined by Cardinal Sean Brady , President of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, who presented to the Irish press the Summary of the findings of the Apostolic visitation to Ireland. “It should be underlined – the cardinal said – he Visitation was not intended to replace or supersede the on-going work of the Church in Ireland, the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, or the various state agencies in the efforts they have made, and continue to make, to deal effectively with child. Crucially therefore today’s report is different in nature”. “As bishops – the Cardinal added – we wish to associate ourselves with the “great sense of pain and shame” expressed in the Visitation findings”, for all that happened “within the Christian community. The archbishop thus thanked Pope Benedict, and those “who collaborated in carrying out the Visitation”. He concluded: “We move forward with renewed faith and hope as we prepare to host the 50th International Eucharistic Congress and to draw further strength and renewal from the approaching ‘Year of Faith'”.