Pope's Letter Published

[Anarene]

The bit I find interesting is

"11. To my brother bishops
........ Besides fully implementing the norms of canon law in addressing cases of child abuse, continue to cooperate with the civil authorities in their area of competence. Clearly, religious superiors should do likewise. ...... It is imperative that the child safety norms of the Church in Ireland be continually revised and updated and that they be applied fully and impartially in conformity with canon law."

Is this more mental reservation? is he saying - I am telling you to comply with civil law but I am giving you an out.
Who decides the area of competence of the civil authorities.
And why must child safety norms comply with Canon Law rather than Civil Law?

I suspect everyone word of this was carefully considered so I don't think that's a mistake or an oversight.

[Cabbage/Turnip]

OOpse just made a huge tit of myself... I just flicked through it, i am rushing to mass. I apoligise

[thenardier]

His condemnation of the abuse was also fortright:

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. You have forfeited the esteem of
the people of Ireland and brought shame and dishonour upon your
confreres. Those of you who are priests violated the sanctity of the
sacrament of Holy Orders in which Christ makes himself present in us and
in our actions. Together with the immense harm done to victims, great
damage has been done to the Church and to the public perception of the
priesthood and religious life.
I urge you to examine your conscience, take responsibility for the sins
you have committed, and humbly express your sorrow"

... as indeed was his criticism of bishops for their failure of leadership:

"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. I recognize how difficult it was to grasp the extent and
complexity of the problem, to obtain reliable information and to make the
right decisions in the light of conflicting expert advice. Nevertheless, it must
be admitted that grave errors of judgement were made and failures of
leadership occurred."

It specifically refers to the failure to co-operate with the civil authorities (something which will no doubt be relevant if/when new investigations are launched).

So, as far as apologising and criticising those responsible is concerned, I think it has done well. However, in relation to the remedies, (Point 14) and beyond, it seems to me that it revolves completely around religious observances - adorations, visitations, venerations etc, none is which are likely to be massive comforts to those abused.

Still, a step in the right direction, although I think the damage has already been done and is irreperable.

[Andrew49]

Ratzinger proposed a nationwide mission for all bishops, priests and religious to strengthen vocations and urged Irish dioceses to devote chapels for intense prayer to make reparation for the sins of abuse that have done so much harm.
- - - - - -

[LDF]

It's a long letter and probably requires a couple of readings for the message to be absorbed. While he does apologise for the hurt caused I don't think he fully acknowledges his own role in designing the Church response to suspected paedophilia.

I would also question the fact that he seems to place paedophilia in Ireland as a symptom of increased secularisation. That is disingenuous. That's my reading of some of the paragraphs, I could have misinterpreted his message.

Hopefully this is the start of a process of real change within the Church. It's been a long time coming.

[Toland]

What does he mean by a "Visitation"?

Does that mean he's coming to certain dioceses of Ireland?

Does he mean NI as part of his UK visit?

Confused.

Interesting how Martin emphasises that his letter is not the last word on the matter. He's media savvy and knows that letter (as expected) does not include anything close to what the situation demands.

[Toland]

Message to the bishops:



Haven't seen a mention of civil law.

He does mention that bishops should cooperate with civil authorities, but only subject to Canon Law.

This part of his statement will probably just make matters worse.

[johnfás]

What does he mean by a "Visitation"?

Does that mean he's coming to certain dioceses of Ireland?

Does he mean NI as part of his UK visit?

Confused.

Interesting how Martin emphasises that his letter is not the last word on the matter. He's media savvy and knows that letter (as expected) does not include anything close to what the situation demands.

Not speaking as a Catholic, but as someone with a knowledge of law, which is what alot of these terms draw upon, the term visitation generally refers to an inspection by a designated person. For example, the Universities Act provide the Minister for Education with the right to order a visitation upon any University in the State where there is a suspicion that such a university is acting in breach of the Universities Act. It does not mean the Pope is making a visit as such.

[johnfás]

And why must child safety norms comply with Canon Law rather than Civil Law?

Presumably because in actuality there are relatively few legislative provisions in this jurisdiction dealing with child protection. We only have national guidelines, they are not legislative - as a consequence there is essentially no civil law in this area.

[Toland]

Indeed. That struck me too. A bit of praying and mass giving every Friday for a year. You'd swear he was in the confessional giving the Irish Church its penance before absolution (or was it after? -- it's been that long)