2010-04-08 15:38:54

Letter to the Church in Ireland – The Main Points
 


(excerpts from the Pope’s Pastoral Letter to the Church in Ireland- 19th March 2010)

I now turn to you with words that come from my heart, and I wish to speak to each of you individually and to all of you as brothers and sisters in the Lord.

To the victims of abuse and their families
 
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.

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.

To priests and religious who have abused children

 
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.

I urge you to examine your conscience, take responsibility for the sins you have committed, and humbly express your sorrow.

To parents

 
You have been deeply shocked to learn of the terrible things that took place in what ought to be the safest and most secure environment of all.

I urge you to play your part in ensuring the best possible care of children, both at home and in society as a whole.

To the children and young people of Ireland

 
We are all scandalized by the sins and failures of some of the Church's members,…. But it is in the Church that you will find Jesus Christ…. He loves you and he has offered himself on the cross for you….he will never betray your trust!

To the priests and religious of Ireland

 
I know that many of you are disappointed, bewildered and angered by the way these matters have been handled by some of your superiors.

Yet, it is essential that you cooperate closely with those in authority and help to ensure that the measures adopted to respond to the crisis will be truly evangelical, just and effective.

To the  bishops

 
It cannot be denied that some of you and your predecessors failed, at times grievously, to apply the long-established norms of canon law to the crime of child abuse.  Serious mistakes were made in responding to allegations.

Only decisive action carried out with complete honesty and transparency will restore the respect and good will of the Irish people towards the Church to which we have consecrated our lives.

Emerging from the Past

 
… the task you now face is to address the problem of abuse that has occurred within the Irish Catholic community, and to do so with courage and determination. No one imagines that this painful situation will be resolved swiftly.


…. in order to recover from this grievous wound, the Church in Ireland must first acknowledge before the Lord and before others the serious sins committed against defenceless children. Such an acknowledgement, accompanied by sincere sorrow for the damage caused to these victims and their families, must lead to a concerted effort to ensure the protection of children from similar crimes in the future”.

For the Future

 
In confronting the present crisis, measures to deal justly with individual crimes are essential, yet on their own they are not enough: a new vision is needed, to inspire present and future generations to treasure the gift of our common faith.

I encourage you to discover anew the sacrament of Reconciliation and to avail yourselves more frequently of the transforming power of its grace.

Particular attention should also be given to Eucharistic adoration, and in every diocese there should be churches or chapels specifically devoted to this purpose.

I intend to hold an Apostolic Visitation of certain dioceses in Ireland, as well as seminaries and religious congregations

I also propose that a nationwide Mission be held for all bishops, priests and religious.
 







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