Apostolic visitation ‘falls short of addressing problems’
In his pastoral letter, the Pope wrote that he is to organise a group of senior figures to examine whether Church doctrine is being followed. Pope Benedict wrote that the move, to focus on dioceses mired in sex abuse and interviewing bishops, is necessary to prevent a repeat of the crisis and to ensure all Church figures have the same view on doctrinal issues.
However, abuse survivor Colm O’Gorman said the measure fell short of what is required by Church figures to address the problems which allowed the abuse to occur.
Warning that the Pope’s plans effectively amounted to “doctrinal censorship”, he added that the Vatican addressing the secrecy of sex abuse through secret vetting of its own members’ views failed to acknowledge real issues involved.
“Benedict’s previous role as the head of Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith was about enforcing the doctrine of Catholic law. Nobody should be surprised he is now stamping down his authority on the institution,” Mr O’Gorman warned. “I’m not somebody who’s concerned about the internal reform of the Catholic Church. What I am interested in is health and justice. One of the things we have to do now is name lies and deceit when we see it.
“Benedict claimed secularism of Irish society was a cause of the abuse and, in his previous role, he failed to act to apply the law. The apostolic visitation means he is underlying his own interpretation of doctrine.”
The Irish apostolic visitation is likely to involve a number of senior Vatican officials who will make personal trips to dioceses which have been engulfed in abuse scandals. The Vatican group will also examine whether the teaching of Catholic doctrine in Ireland’s seminaries complies with the Pope’s views.
