Irish Examiner [Vatican]
October 26, 2006
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=199610204&p=y996yx9yx&n=199610964
Pope Benedict XVI today revealed his horror at the behaviour of more than 20 priests who sexually abused children in the Diocese of Ferns.
The pontiff told the Bishop of Ferns, the Revered Denis Brennan, he was praying for the healing and peace of all those who had suffered.
In his first comments on the abuse as pontiff, he spoke of his deep sorrow and distress at the suffering endured by the victims.
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He expressed his own personal anguish and horror at the incomprehensible behaviour of those clergy. He told Bishop Brennan the priests' actions had devastated human lives and profoundly betrayed the trust of children, young people, their families and parish communities.
The pope received Bishop Brennan as part of the visit of the Irish Episcopal Conference.
Pope Benedict asked the bishop to assure those who have been sexually abused by priests of his concern for them and his deep regret at the harm and suffering they have experienced.
He also requested that Bishop Brennan convey to all the faithful of the Diocese of Ferns his care for them.
The pontiff expressed solidarity with the lay-faithful, religious and priests of Ferns in the sufferings they have endured and in the deep pain caused by the scandal of sexual abuse of the young.
The Report of the Ferns Inquiry into abuse in the diocese said it identified more than 100 allegations of child sexual abuse, made between 1962 and 2002, against 21 priests.
Six of the priests had died before any allegations of abuse were made against them.
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