Cardinal Brady reflects on "Healing and Renewal" conference
“I’ll be taking back news of a very successful symposium, I think on a very important
topic towards healing and renewal in the church in the midst of this child safeguarding
crisis”. That was the reflection of Cardinal Seàn Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and
Primate of All Ireland who attended the 4 day Vatican Conference on the Catholic Church’s
approach to the crisis of clerical sex abuse.
Speaking to Lydia O’Kane the
Cardinal said, “ above all I see this as a very important step in the church recognising
the seriousness of this matter of child safeguarding and once again we must recognise
the importance of listening to victims…”
Regarding his own country of Ireland,
the Cardinal said, he hoped that a forthcoming report on Apostolic Visitations to
various dioceses and church institutions would acknowledge “the progress that has
been made and identify areas which still need attention”. He also stressed the importance
of a “renewal of faith” in the country.
The four day symposium entitled “Towards
healing and Renewal” concluded on Thursday with the launch of an internet portal in
four languages including English which will offer information and training for all
those dealing with child protection in the Church. Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s interview
with Cardinal Brady