ARCHBISHOP OF Dublin Diarmuid Martin welcomed the decision by the Vatican to begin its investigation into clerical sexual abuse in Ireland this autumn.
Dr Martin said he looked forward to receiving the formal document which will define “the nature and the precise terms and objectives of the visitation”.
“The visitation is an important element in the broad process being set in place by Pope Benedict to assist the Catholic Church in Ireland in its renewal,” he said.
Dr Martin said he welcomed in particular the announcement that the visitation is being asked to evaluate the “current response to victims and the quality of the assistance which the church in Ireland owes to survivors”.
He said he “warmly welcomes” the nomination of Cardinal Seán O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, as apostolic visitor to the Archdiocese of Dublin.
“Cardinal O’Malley’s experience and personal commitment render him particularly suited to bring ecclesial solidarity to the faithful and the clergy of the Archdiocese of Dublin at this moment, in which the church in Dublin addresses the truth of a dark moment in its history and undertakes a period of conversion, purification and renewal.
“The appropriate structures of the archdiocese continue in their reflection on the grave facts identified in the Murphy report and are offering full co-operation in the ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by An Garda Síochána in the wake of the publication of the report.”
The Standing Committee of the Irish Bishops’ Conference also welcomed the announcement yesterday.
“An expression of the personal closeness of Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland, this visitation represents one more important step on the path to healing, reparation and renewal in the church in Ireland,” the bishops said in a statement.
They pledged “full co-operation” with those appointed to carry out the visitation.
“The Apostolic Visitation will be an opportunity to further develop the work that is being undertaken in the church in Ireland to address the needs of survivors of abuse, to build upon the strong procedures and guidelines for the safeguarding of children and to work for a renewal of faith.”
The bishops said the visitation was also “an opportunity to reflect, evaluate and review certain aspects of life in the church in Ireland at this time. We look forward to receiving further details of the precise terms of reference of the Apostolic Visitation in due course.”