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Pope to meet cardinal over abuse Pope shares Irish "abuse outrage"
(about 8 hours later)
The Pope is due to meet the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland later to discuss the findings of a damning report into clerical child abuse. The Pope shares the "outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by Irish people over a report that said clerical child abuse was covered-up, the Vatican has said.
Last month, the Murphy report found that church leaders had covered up child abuse in Dublin for decades. In a statement, issued after Pope Benedict XVI met Irish Church leaders on Friday, the pope was said to be "disturbed and distressed".
The Pope summoned the Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, to Rome after the Vatican was criticised for failing to respond to the inquiry. A report found church leaders covered up child abuse in Dublin for decades.
The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, will accompany the cardinal. He will write a pastoral letter to the Irish people about sexual abuse and the Vatican's response to the crisis.
Shame and sorrow "The Holy Father was deeply disturbed and distressed by its contents," the Vatican statement said.
"He wishes once more to express his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and by society at large."
The Pope summoned the Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, to Rome after the Vatican was criticised for failing to respond to the Murphy inquiry.
The Holy See takes very seriously the central issues raised by the Report, including questions concerning the governance of local Church leaders with ultimate responsibility for the pastoral care of children.
The Holy Father intends to address a Pastoral Letter to the faithful of Ireland in which he will clearly indicate the initiatives that are to be taken in response to the situation.
Finally, His Holiness encourages all those who have dedicated their lives in generous service to children to persevere in their good works in imitation of Christ the Good Shepherd.
Extract from Papal statement
The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, accompanied the cardinal.
The Murphy report, which was published two weeks ago, laid bare a culture of concealment within the Dublin archdiocese and found that four consecutive archbishops prioritised the church's reputation above the welfare of children who were being physically and sexually abused.The Murphy report, which was published two weeks ago, laid bare a culture of concealment within the Dublin archdiocese and found that four consecutive archbishops prioritised the church's reputation above the welfare of children who were being physically and sexually abused.
Instead, paedophile priests were moved from parish to parish, free to repeat their actions on new victims.Instead, paedophile priests were moved from parish to parish, free to repeat their actions on new victims.
Immediately after the publication, Cardinal Brady said he was "deeply sorry and ashamed" at the abuse of children described in the report.Immediately after the publication, Cardinal Brady said he was "deeply sorry and ashamed" at the abuse of children described in the report.
Cardinal Brady apologised for how the church dealt with paedophile priests
The archbishop of Dublin said he offered "to each and every survivor my apology, my sorrow and my shame for what happened to them" but added that "no words of apology will ever be sufficient".
Archbishop Martin was praised by victims for his willingness to co-operate with the inquiry which was ordered by the Irish government, unlike his four predecessors who had failed to report paedophile priests to the civil authorities.Archbishop Martin was praised by victims for his willingness to co-operate with the inquiry which was ordered by the Irish government, unlike his four predecessors who had failed to report paedophile priests to the civil authorities.
Both men will meet Pope Benedict XVI amid widespread anger over the Vatican's response to the abuse investigation.
Contempt claim
The Murphy Commission said the Pope's ambassador to Ireland, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, had failed to respond to extracts of its draft report, referring to him and his office, which it had forwarded to him.The Murphy Commission said the Pope's ambassador to Ireland, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, had failed to respond to extracts of its draft report, referring to him and his office, which it had forwarded to him.
The papal envoy had complained that the inquiry did not go through the appropriate diplomatic channels in its approach to him, but Archbishop Leanza was then forced to defend himself against allegations that he had treated the investigation with contempt.The papal envoy had complained that the inquiry did not go through the appropriate diplomatic channels in its approach to him, but Archbishop Leanza was then forced to defend himself against allegations that he had treated the investigation with contempt.
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza was criticised for his response Three days ago, he was summoned to a meeting with the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin, who told the papal nuncio that the Irish government expected the Vatican to respond substantially and comprehensively to the questions raised by the Murphy Commission.
Three days ago, he was summoned to a meeting with the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin, who told the papal nuncio that the Irish government expected the Vatican to respond substantially and comprehensively to the questions asked by the Murphy Commission.
The foreign minister also said he had sought a commitment from the archbishop that the church would co-operate fully with the upcoming Cloyne inquiry, which is investigating clerical abuse in County Cork.
Archbishop Leanza said the Murphy report was being studied by the Vatican and he said he hoped there would be a response to its contents following the meeting on Friday.