By Grace O'Dea
Offaly Express
March 24, 2010
http://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/Bishops-welcome-Papal-letter-concerning.6174580.jp
IRELAND -- THE Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith and the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Dr Jim Moriarty have welcomed Pope Benedict XIII's letter concerning clerical abuse in Ireland.
The letter, which was read out at all masses over the weekend, was met with mixed reactions with members of the congregation in Dublin getting up and leaving the church.
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However Bishop Smith 'warmly welcomed' the letter and asked people to read it for themselves 'with an open heart'.
"I hope that the letter will be a meaningful step in the process of repentance, healing and renewal," he stated.
Meanwhile Dr Moriarty said the letter was 'frank and sincere' in its import and content.
"It indicates the seriousness with which Pope Benedict regards the current crisis and his heartfelt concern for the people of Ireland, particularly those who were abused," he commented.
Dr Moriarty said the Pope's recommendations for Friday penance, renewal of the sacrament of reconciliation and the practice of Eucharistic adoration were 'realistic steps that might guide in the church's journey of renewal'.
In his letter the Pontiff said it was with 'great concern' that he wrote as Pastor of the universal Church.
"Like yourselves, I have been deeply disturbed by the information which has come to light regarding the abuse of children and vulnerable young people by members of the Church in Ireland, particularly by priests and religious. I can only share in the dismay and the sense of
betrayal that so many of you have experienced on learning of these sinful and criminal acts and the way Church authorities in Ireland dealt with them," wrote Pope Benedict.
To the victims of abuse he offered the following apology.
"You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated. Many of you found that, when you were courageous enough to speak of what happened to you, no one would listen. Those of you who were abused in residential institutions must have felt that there was no escape from your sufferings. It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the Church. In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel. At the same time, I ask you not to lose hope."
He also addressed priests and religious members who abused young people.
"You betrayed the trust that was placed in you by innocent young people and their parents, and you must answer for it before Almighty God and before properly constituted tribunals. You have forfeited the esteem of the people of Ireland and brought shame and dishonour upon your confreres.
Together with the immense harm done to victims, great damage has been done to the Church and to the public perception of the priesthood and religious life."
In addressing the Irish Bishops he said that some of them and their predecessors had failed.
"I recognise how difficult it was to grasp the extent and complexity of the problem, to obtain reliable information and to make the right decisions in the light of conflicting expert advice.
Nevertheless, it must be admitted that grave errors of judgement were made and failures of leadership occurred. All this has seriously undermined your credibility and effectiveness. I appreciate the efforts you have made to remedy past mistakes and to guarantee that they do not happen again. Continue to cooperate with the civil authorities in their area of competence. I am confident that, as a result, you will now be in a stronger position to carry forward the
work of repairing past injustices.
In conclusion he said that no one imagines that this painful situation will be resolved swiftly.
"Real progress has been made, yet much more remains to be done. I am praying earnestly that, by God's grace, the wounds afflicting so many individuals and families may be healed and that the Church in Ireland may experience a season of rebirth and spiritual renewal."
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