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	Pope Tells Irish Bishops to Find the Truth, Prevent Priestly Abuse By John Thavis Catholic News Service October 30, 2006 http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0606168.htm Vatican City (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said priestly sexual abuse of minors was a "heart-rending" tragedy that requires an effort of purification by the church. Addressing Ireland's bishops at the Vatican Oct. 28, the pope encouraged them to establish the truth of past sex abuse cases, take steps to prevent future crimes and bring healing to the victims. "The wounds caused by such acts run deep, and it is an urgent task to rebuild confidence and trust where these have been damaged," the pope said. Irish church leaders have had to deal with hundreds of allegations of clerical sexual abuse, many of which came to light in recent years. The bishops set up an advisory committee and an independent, lay-led commission to study the problem, and earlier this year published "Our Children, Our Church," a child protection policy that included new measures more consistent with state procedures. The pope's remarks to the bishops, at the end of their "ad limina" visit to the Vatican, were his most extensive public comments on priestly sex abuse since his election in April 2005. The heads of dioceses are required to make "ad limina" visits every five years to report on the status of their dioceses. "In the exercise of your pastoral ministry, you have had to respond in recent years to many heart-rending cases of sexual abuse of minors. These are all the more tragic when the abuser is a cleric," the pope said. "In your continuing efforts to deal effectively with this problem, it is important to establish the truth of what happened in the past, to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent it from occurring again, to ensure that the principles of justice are fully respected and, above all, to bring healing to the victims and to all those affected by these egregious crimes," he said. The pope said that by facing the problem in this way the church in Ireland would grow stronger and come to see the present moment as a "time of purification." In their private talks with Vatican agencies, Irish bishops said they were encouraged to continue their efforts to deal with sexual abuse and to develop the policies expressed in "Our Children, Our Church." When Pope Benedict met privately with Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns, Ireland, where more than 100 allegations of clerical sex abuse were made between 1962 and 2002, the pope communicated his personal anguish and horror at the behavior of the clerical abusers, according to a spokesman for the Ferns Diocese. Speaking to the bishops as a group, the pope said it was also important that the good work of the majority of Irish priests not be overshadowed by the transgressions of some. "I am certain that the people understand this and continue to regard their clergy with affection and esteem," he said. The pope said he was concerned about the sharply declining vocation rate in Ireland. He asked the bishops to offer young people an attractive vision of the ordained priesthood. "Even if Christian commitment is considered unfashionable in some circles, there is a real spiritual hunger and a generous desire to serve others among the young people of Ireland," he said. The pope described the Irish as a people shaped by the Christian faith. He said modern changes in Irish society present challenges as well as opportunities, and people are looking to the bishops for leadership. "Help them to recognize the inability of the secular, materialist culture to bring true satisfaction and joy. Be bold in speaking to them of the joy that comes from following Christ and living according to his commandments," he said. While the church sometimes must speak out against evils, he said, it must correct the impression that Catholicism is merely a "collection of prohibitions." "So often the church's countercultural witness is misunderstood as something backward and negative in today's society. That is why it is important to emphasize the good news, the life-giving and life-enhancing message of the Gospel," he said. He said one key was sound catechesis among young Catholics. He encouraged bishops to make sure catechetical programs are based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and to avoid superficial presentations of Catholic teaching. The pope also said he hoped and prayed for reconciliation, particularly in regard to Northern Ireland, where he said much progress has been made in recent times. In an address to the pope, Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh, Northern Ireland, invited the pontiff to visit the country. "Should God's will and your heavy responsibilities allow you to accept this invitation, you will discover in Ireland a country of warm welcome, but also of change," Archbishop Brady said. He cited Ireland's recent economic success and the accompanying "loss of Christian memory." The pope did not respond directly to the invitation. British newspapers reported that consideration was being given to a simultaneous visit to Northern Ireland next spring by the pope and Britain's Queen Elizabeth, as a culmination of the Northern Ireland peace process. The Irish bishops, however, said they were told in the Vatican's Secretariat of State that the pope appeared to be "booked up" for travels through 2007. He has two known trips scheduled, to Brazil in May and to Austria and the Czech Republic in September. At a press conference Oct. 28, the Irish bishops said they were impressed with the sympathy and encouragement Pope Benedict showed in their meetings. The pope tended to do more listening than talking, said Bishop Michael Smith of Meath, Ireland. Bishop Patrick Walsh of Down and Connor, Northern Ireland, said the pope, in words and demeanor, was very positive. The pope "doesn't go around slapping backs or anything like that," but exudes a quiet, restrained joy that comes from faith, he said. Even as the pope points to threats to society and the Christian response, he takes care to point out that Christian values are in many ways shared by all humanity, Bishop Walsh said. "I think the Holy Father at the present moment seems to be right on the wavelength of giving a very positive message, in language people can understand," he said.
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