Speech on Asia Sex Abuse but Irish Church Stays Silent

By Edel O'Connell
Irish Independent
June 13, 2012

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/speech-on-asia-sex-abuse-but-irish-church-stays-silent-3137472.html

THE Irish Catholic Church will not address the issue of clerical sex abuse during the week-long International Eucharistic Congress, organisers confirmed yesterday.

The decision was confirmed on the same day a Filipino archbishop held an hour-long discussion on clerical sex abuse in Asia.

But organisers of the Dublin event have defended their decision not to include an equivalent address by an Irish archbishop. Congress general secretary Fr Kevin Doran told the Irish Independent it was felt a presentation from someone who was outside "the situation" would be more appropriate.

Earlier, Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Tagle spoke of the abuse crisis from an Asian perspective. He discussed the need to develop pastoral guidelines for handling cases of clerical sex abuse and for a greater understanding of celibacy among clergy.

Papal legate Cardinal Marc Ouellet earlier travelled to Co Donegal ahead of a private overnight pilgrimage to Lough Derg.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin announced to gathered pilgrims at an outdoor afternoon Mass that the legate's visit was a further gesture of repentance to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse by priests and religious orders.

Atonement

Last month, the Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, led a pilgrimage to Lough Derg in atonement for the abuse of children.

Meanwhile, just 2,000 tickets remain for the congress's closing event at Croke Park on Sunday. In the region of 80,000 tickets have been sold for the Statio Orbis, or final Mass.

Superintendent Kevin Gralton of Mountjoy garda station said significant traffic management plans would be in place on the day.

Dublin Port will be transformed into a giant parking lot for coaches and no parking will be permitted in the vicinity of the stadium. The event will begin at 1pm and will end by 5.30pm.

Many roads around the stadium will be closed, including North Circular Road, Belvedere Road and North Great Charles Street. The Ballybough Road will also be closed post-event, from Clonliffe House to the junction of North Circular Road/Summerhill. Diversions will also be in place in other areas.