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| Pope condemns Irish sexual abuse | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Pope Benedict XVI has told Irish Roman Catholic bishops sexual abuse of children by priests is a "heinous crime", the Vatican says. | |
| The Pope summoned the 24 bishops to Rome to discuss their response to a child sex abuse scandal. | |
| In his first comments released since meetings began on Monday, the Pope said Irish bishops had to face the scandal with courage and resolve. | |
| In a report last year the Irish Church admitted covering up abuse for decades. | In a report last year the Irish Church admitted covering up abuse for decades. |
| Victims of abuse have accused the Church of putting its own reputation ahead of concern for children. | Victims of abuse have accused the Church of putting its own reputation ahead of concern for children. |
| They have written a letter to the Pope calling for the resignation of bishops "who engaged in this culture of cover-up". | |
| "The lives of thousands of Irish people have been devastated by sexual abuse by priests," the letter said. | "The lives of thousands of Irish people have been devastated by sexual abuse by priests," the letter said. |
| Four bishops have already offered their resignations - though only one has been formally accepted. | Four bishops have already offered their resignations - though only one has been formally accepted. |
| Secret files | Secret files |
| Last year's Murphy and Ryan reports revealed how abuse was rife in many Catholic-run children's institutions in the Republic of Ireland, and how priests who were accused of abuse were just moved by bishops to new parishes. | Last year's Murphy and Ryan reports revealed how abuse was rife in many Catholic-run children's institutions in the Republic of Ireland, and how priests who were accused of abuse were just moved by bishops to new parishes. |
| Investigators found that Church officials compiled confidential files on more than 100 parish priests accused of sexual abuse, but that the files were kept secret. | Investigators found that Church officials compiled confidential files on more than 100 parish priests accused of sexual abuse, but that the files were kept secret. |
| At a Mass in Rome before the meeting on Monday, one of the Vatican's top cardinals called sexual acts committed against children "particularly abominable". | At a Mass in Rome before the meeting on Monday, one of the Vatican's top cardinals called sexual acts committed against children "particularly abominable". |
| Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone said the scandal was "humiliating" but that the Church must face the challenge. | Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone said the scandal was "humiliating" but that the Church must face the challenge. |
| "Every kind of challenge can become a reason for purification and sanctification as long as it is illuminated by faith," he said. | "Every kind of challenge can become a reason for purification and sanctification as long as it is illuminated by faith," he said. |
| Armagh Archbishop Sean Brady, the Primate of all Ireland, told Vatican Radio that the two days of meetings were part of a "journey of repentance, reconciliation and renewal". | Armagh Archbishop Sean Brady, the Primate of all Ireland, told Vatican Radio that the two days of meetings were part of a "journey of repentance, reconciliation and renewal". |
| No reply | No reply |
| The Pope is expected to issue a letter to the Irish faithful, aimed at "restoring confidence" in the Church, by assuring them of "concrete and effective" ways to prevent the scandal being repeated. | The Pope is expected to issue a letter to the Irish faithful, aimed at "restoring confidence" in the Church, by assuring them of "concrete and effective" ways to prevent the scandal being repeated. |
| But Andrew Madden, an abuse victim who exposed Irish clerical paedophilia in 1995, said he was not optimistic much would change. | But Andrew Madden, an abuse victim who exposed Irish clerical paedophilia in 1995, said he was not optimistic much would change. |
| "It's clear that most of Ireland's bishops should go, because they conspired in covering up heinous crimes," he told the Associated Press. | "It's clear that most of Ireland's bishops should go, because they conspired in covering up heinous crimes," he told the Associated Press. |
| "Most of them will cling to their positions regardless of the anguish this causes the victims." | "Most of them will cling to their positions regardless of the anguish this causes the victims." |
| There was further criticism of the Church on Monday when the Vatican envoy in Dublin, Cardinal Giuseppe Leanza, said he would not appear before a parliamentary panel to answer questions on the Church's cover-up. | There was further criticism of the Church on Monday when the Vatican envoy in Dublin, Cardinal Giuseppe Leanza, said he would not appear before a parliamentary panel to answer questions on the Church's cover-up. |
| "I wish to inform that it is not the practice of the Holy See that apostolic nuncios appear before parliamentary commissions," he wrote in a letter. | "I wish to inform that it is not the practice of the Holy See that apostolic nuncios appear before parliamentary commissions," he wrote in a letter. |
| State investigators have also said the cardinal did not reply to letters seeking assistance. | State investigators have also said the cardinal did not reply to letters seeking assistance. |
| Irish MP Alan Shatter said it was "not only deeply regrettable but incomprehensible" that the cardinal would not co-operate, given "it is acknowledged in Rome that members of the clergy in Ireland are guilty of abominable sexual abuse of children". | Irish MP Alan Shatter said it was "not only deeply regrettable but incomprehensible" that the cardinal would not co-operate, given "it is acknowledged in Rome that members of the clergy in Ireland are guilty of abominable sexual abuse of children". |