Bishops summoned to meet Pope to discuss abuse report fallout
The meeting next month between Pope Benedict and the Irish hierarchy is said to be in response to the findings of the Murphy report, which investigated how Church and state authorities handled allegations of child abuse against 46 priests, from 1975 to 2004.
Today, religious newspaper, The Irish Catholic, reveals that bishops will be provided the opportunity to speak to the Holy Father about the clerical child abuse scandals when they report to him.
This special synod will coincide with the Pope’s intention to send a message to the Irish people addressing the clerical abuse scandal.
The report says the Pope has called the meeting “because of what is perceived as a very serious situation in Ireland”. It is believed the Vatican is keen to try and address the anger and shock felt since the Ryan and Murphy reports.
The Irish Catholic states that the meetings will take place on February 15 and 16 and it is believed, similar to the Pope’s meeting with Cardinal Seán Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin “that several senior Vatican officials” will be there.
“By the end of the meetings it is expected that concrete proposals will have emerged and the Pope will offer his conclusions. Each bishop will then return to his diocese for the Ash Wednesday liturgies on February 17, where he will address the faithful on the way forward.”
