Church to give extra €10m for abuse survivor services

THE Catholic Church in Ireland has pledged an extra €10 million for a counselling and helpline service for child abuse survivors.

It is one of a number of initiatives to mark the first anniversary of Pope Benedict’s pastoral letter to Irish Catholics.

Church-goers are being given a pastoral response Towards Healing and Renewal, while bishops are to set aside each first Friday as a day of fasting and prayer in reparation for the abuse.