Vatican Radio
September 3, 2011
http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=517677
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In his own remarks accompanying the release of the Holy See's response to the Irish government concerning the Cloyne Report, the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi highlighted the document's frank recognition of the gravity of the abuse that occurred, as well as the serious deficiencies evidenced in the report regarding the handling of abuse allegations. Fr. Lombardi also notes the Response's expressions of horror and powerful condemnation of the abuse committed in the Cloyne diocese. He says there is regret and understanding for the feelings of anger, confusion and bitterness so widespread among the population and innocent members of the clergy – who, he notes, are a majority of clergy in the diocese.
The comments from the Director of the Holy See's Press Office go on to consider the Response's expression of the Holy See's deep concern over the diocesan government's failure to apply both the guidelines proposed by the Church in Ireland, and the norms from the Holy See to all the bishops of the world, in what he calls, "The most serious matter of child protection."
"The clear affirmation that none of [that which is detailed in the report] ought ever to have happened," says Fr. Lombardi, "is unmistakably the starting-point of the Holy See's reponse," adding that the Response also notes, "the steps [already] taken by the Church in Ireland to come to grips with the crisis, and the need for adequate protection of children." In this regard, says Fr. Lombardi, "The Cloyne Report itself recognizes that the lines adopted by the Church are appropriate," and must therefore be put into practice effectively.
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