Brief Response from the ACP to the Vatican document
“The Association of Catholic Priests is happy to give a broad welcome to the Vatican summary of the report on the visitation of the Irish Church. We share the sense of regret and shame felt by the whole Church for the abuse of children that happened over the years, and we support the efforts that are being made to try to prevent this type of occurrence again.
From our particular perspective as an association for priests we especially welcome the call for a continued re-examination of the guidelines in relation to three difficult areas; the handling of cases of priests against whom allegations were made, but the DPP did not proceed with the case; the return to ministry of those falsely accused; the pastoral care of those who have been convicted of abuse. These were all issues that we raised with the visitors when we met them, and we are glad to see they were listening to us.”
I must commend the Association in this matter. This is an issue that needs addressing. If the Association keeps it aims with the confines of such – many seminarians, myself included, would be keen to support its cause. Well Done.
Extraordinary! Truly extraordinary!! I’m having a ‘the Emperor’s got no clothes’ moment! Think about this for a moment…. a high powered delegation of vatican appointed investigators, accompanied by entourages of other officials and professionals in relevant disciplines, spent months and months having hundreds of meetings with thousands of people, many of whom would have spent hours, if not days, preparing very personal presentations of their view of the Church,and this is the result….. seven pages of nothing! I accept that this report is a summary, but they say it’s a summary that contains all the most significant findings!! What an absolute and utter waste of time, energy, resources and money. It is truly extraordinary! As I said at the beginning, ‘the Emperor’s got no clothes’!
Perhaps ACP might enquire as to why the full report is not being released. If this is part of the Vatican’s blueprint for the future of the Irish church, should it not be made public?
Well said Adrian. This nonsense about dissent from offical guide lines: we live in 2012. People do have a right to express their views on so-called controversial areas, such as the Virgin birth, the Eucharist, infallibility, celibacy, homosexuality, feminine spirituality, the rights of non-ordained people. Viva political Socialist Theology.
As Garry O’Sullivan, the editor of the Irish Catholic, suggested this week the devil in this report is in the detail, the detailed information on every Diocese, every Bishop in Ireland, information which will be put to use.
We would all like to see the full report being published; but on reflection what will it achieve? However, if one eighth of the recommendations are implemented, it might not be a waste of time. Let us be patient and watch. The proverbial ‘ball’ lies with the episcopal conference – maybe they will score a goal with this one!
Ah, now lads, don’t go all soft. I bet there were other topics that you raised with the “visitors” (who invited themselves!) besides the ones mentioned. The report gives no indication that the church’s teaching on sexuality needs to be questioned. And then it goes on about people who are not following the teaching of the Magesterium. Now, I would really like someone to explain how exactly differing from the teaching of the Magesterium is linked with the sexual abuse of minors. Maybe the Emperor is not entirely naked but he is certainly scantily clad. It is important that the ACP holds on to its objectives.