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	Catholics Critical of Abuse 'Cover-Up' Leinster Express March 31, 2010 http://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/Catholics-critical-of-abuse-39coverup39.6191951.jp IRELAND -- CATHOLICS from Parishes across the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin gathered in Portarlington and Carlow last week to discuss the recent Papal Letter from Pope Benedict XVI on clerical sex abuse and to hear the views of Baroness Nuala O'Loan, former ombudsman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The meeting at Mount St Annes, Portarlington was held alongside a gathering at the Carlow Cathedral Parish Centre. In Diocesan statement, there was discussion at the meetings of the Vatican and its role in the ongoing scandal but also criticism of the "cover up" mentality. Some questioned why the meetings had not been more widely advertised and there were calls for further meetings in every parish. The Diocese said the people spoke of their own hurt and lack of trust, of their disappointment with aspects of the church's handling of child abuse, The statement said a number of speakers congratulated Bishop Jim Moriarty on the position he adopted when offering his resignation after the publication of the Murphy report. The bishop's letter of resignation has yet to be accepted by the Pope. Baroness O'Loan spoke of "this dark time" faced by the church and congratulated the Bishop on his courage in holding meetings. She said childhoods were destroyed and lives ruined. She said it was time to rebuild what has been damaged and destroyed in the church. She called for dialogue and a new structure within the church. Julie Kavanagh of the diocesan faith development services team presented a summary of the Papal Letter pointing out what Pope Benedict wrote to the victims of abuse and their families. Bishop Moriarty, who has offered his resignation to the pope, also spoke at both meetings about sharing the mission, encouraging people to read the Pope's letter for themselves and to gather again, maybe in smaller areas, to continue the dialogue begun and further advance the task of healing and renewal together. Fr Michael Murphy gave a brief presentation of the diocese's present position regarding safeguarding children. He said 232 people (incl 78 priests) across the diocese have completed the Keeping Safe Children First training programme. Bryan O'Reilly, a school principal from Newbridge chaired both meetings.
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