MAYNOOTH, Ireland, JUNE 10, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The bishops of Ireland are saying they are «ashamed, humbled and repentant that our people strayed so far from their Christian ideals,» in response to the May 20 Ryan Report that detailed widespread abuse in Catholic schools.
The bishops affirmed this today at a press conference after the conclusion of their Summer General Meeting.
The first topics under discussion at the meeting were the Ryan Report (so-called because of the head of the commission that published it, Justice Sean Ryan) and the meeting of Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin with the Pope to discuss the report.
«The Ryan Report represents the most recent disturbing indictment of a culture that was prevalent in the Catholic Church in Ireland for far too long,» a statement from the bishops’ conference reported. «Heinous crimes were perpetrated against the most innocent and vulnerable, and vile acts with life-lasting effects were carried out under the guise of the mission of Jesus Christ.
«This abuse represents a serious betrayal of the trust which was placed in the Church. For this we ask forgiveness. We are ashamed, humbled and repentant that our people strayed so far from their Christian ideals.»
The bishops’ called for more time to reflect on the details of the report, but offered a four-point «initial response»: «Our first reaction is a heavy sadness at the suffering of so many for so long; we wish to invite survivors to engage with us to see how we can assist those who have been abused; we wish to respond as pastors despite the inadequacies at times of our previous pastoral responses; we urge the whole Church community to join with us in praying for the well being and peace of mind for all who suffered.»
At the Vatican
The prelates also discussed the Pope’s meeting Friday with Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin.
«The Holy Father once again urged the bishops and all in the Church to continue to establish the truth of what happened and why; to ensure that justice is done for all; to see that measures put in place to prevent abuse from happening again are fully applied, and, to help to bring healing to the survivors of abuse,» they said.
In addition to the Pontiff, the Irish prelates met with the heads of six congregations of the Roman Curia, as well as the secretariat of state.
God’s people
The Summer General Meeting also included a look at the 2012 International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Dublin.
Archbishop Piero Marini, president of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congresses, addressed the meeting participants. The bishops’ statement noted how he reminded them that the congress «is not a privilege bestowed on Dublin but a service to the continuing journey of God’s people.»
They added: «Archbishop Marini emphasized that ‘the Congress is not restricted to its closing week, but is concretely expressed throughout at least a two-year journey of preparation … so that the people of God can draw ever closer to an authentic appreciation of the Sacrament given for the life of the world.'»
In addition to other issues, the Irish prelates also noted with concern the drop in government aid for foreign charity work.
«Government aid has decreased by 22% since July 2008,» they lamented. «This decrease is small in terms of its impact on the deficit in Ireland’s national budget, but it is significant in terms of its impact for the developing world and for the mission of Trócaire [the Church’s overseas aid agency].»
