Pope Benedict XVI’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland

(March 20, 2010) In his Pastoral Letter to all the Catholics of Ireland, Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his dismay at the sexual abuse of young people by Church representatives and the way this was addressed by local bishops and religious superiors. He asks the Irish bishops 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.” The Pope says that many factors have given rise to the problem: insufficient moral and spiritual formation in seminaries and novitiates, a tendency in society to favour the clergy and other authority figures, and a misplaced concern for the reputation of the Church. Addressing the victims of abuse first of all, the Holy Father acknowledges the grievous betrayal they have suffered and he tells them how sorry he is over what they have endured. He urges them to seek in the Church the opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ and to find healing and reconciliation. In his words to priests and religious who have abused young people, the Pope calls upon them to answer before God and before properly constituted tribunals for the sinful and criminal actions they have committed. He tells them that they have betrayed a sacred trust and brought shame and dishonour upon their confreres. Hence they must repent of their actions, do penance, and humbly pray for forgiveness. The Pope encourages parents to persevere in the demanding task of bringing up children to know that they are loved and cherished, and to develop a healthy self-esteem. Finally, the Pope proposes some specific steps to foster the renewal, such as to offer up their Friday penances, for a period of one year, in reparation for the sins of abuse, to frequent the sacrament of reconciliation and Eucharistic adoration. He announces his intention to hold an Apostolic Visitation of certain dioceses, religious congregations and seminaries.