Priests criticise Vatican response to report fallout

A NUMBER of priests across the country have expressed their disappointment at how the Vatican has handled the fallout from the Murphy Report and the ongoing revelations of a global clerical abuse cover-up.

Their disquiet is being made public as it emerges that the resignation of Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Jim Moriarty, is likely to be accepted by Pope Benedict today. According to the Irish Catholic, this is the first of a number of resignations that the Pontiff will accept in the coming weeks.

Fr Kevin McNamara, a curate in Killarney, has questioned the Vatican’s “rush to get the pastoral letter out that weekend,” believing it meant clergy had to convey Pope Benedict XVI’s message to congregations without having any time to reflect on the contents of the letter.