of the Church crisis in Ireland
The Vatican has released a comprehensive report on the struggles of the Catholic Church in Ireland, concentrating on the response to the sex-abuse scandal but also addressing the issue of widespread theological dissent.
The Vatican report, released on March 20, reflected the conclusions of an apostolic visitation that had been ordered by Pope Benedict XVI two years ago. The apostolic visitation involved six different teams, led by prelates from other countries, investigating the four archdioceses of Ireland, the formation of priests, and the religious orders.
The apostolic visitation came as the Church in Ireland faced a storm of criticism in the wake of reports that showed many bishops had failed to curb sexual abuse by priests, protecting the guilty clerics and covering up evidence of their misconduct. In a letter to the Church in Ireland, released on March 19, 2009, the Pontiff had expressed his horror “regarding the sinful and criminal acts that were at the root of this particular crisis.”
The summary of the results from the apostolic visitation echoed that concern, acknowledging “the shortcomings of the past gave rise to an inadequate understanding of and reaction to the terrible phenomenon of the abuse of minors, not least on the part of various bishops and religious superiors.” However, the report also found that substantial progress has been made in recent years to remedy the problem.
The report was particularly strong in its praise for the National Board for Safeguarding Children; it strongly encouraged bishops to continue working closely with the autonomous board. The report called for the development of norms that would allow for the handling of cases in which civil authorities decide not to prosecute a priest who has been credibly accused, and also for the return to active ministry of priests who have been accused falsely.
The visitation also offered some frank criticism of seminary life in Ireland and of the country’s religious orders. The Vatican called for stronger scrutiny of candidates for the priesthood and more attention to the spiritual formation of seminarians. Regarding religious life, the visitation suggested that the Irish orders should undertake a 3-year process of returning to their fundamental charisms and to the Scriptures and teachings of the Church.
Speaking more generally about a climate of theological dissent in Ireland, the report said:
Since the Visitators also encountered a certain tendency, not dominant but nevertheless fairly widespread among priests, Religious and laity, to hold theological opinions at variance with the teachings of the Magisterium, this serious situation requires particular attention, directed principally towards improved theological formation. It must be stressed that dissent from the fundamental teachings of the Church is not the authentic path towards renewal.
The report concluded with an expression of hope that the visitation would contribute to a “process of healing, reparation and renewal which Pope Benedict XVI so eagerly desires for the beloved Church in Ireland.”
Speaking on behalf of the Irish hierarchy, Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh welcomed the report. He voiced the sorrow of the Irish bishops for the damage done to individuals and to the Church by the abuse scandal, saying: “In expressing true sorrow and regret, we make our own the heartfelt plea for forgiveness from the victims, and from God, for these terrible crimes and sins.”
Spokesmen for groups representing abuse victims said that the report did not go far enough. Maeve Lewis, the director of One in Four, said: “The Vatican could have used this document to acknowledge its responsibility in helping to create the culture that led to the purposeful cover-up of the sexual abuse of children, so that the prestige of the Church was protected at the expense of children.”
Critics of the Church in Ireland have consistently complained that the Vatican blocked efforts to address the abuse scandal. Prime Minister Enda Kenny made that charge in an angry speech last year, lashing out at the Vatican and prompting the recall of the apostolic nuncio. Vatican officials have staunchly denied impeding the Irish bishops’ reform efforts, and in recent months the Vatican has accepted the resignations of several bishops who were slow to address abuse complaints.
The struggles of the Church in Ireland, and the sweeping criticism of the country’s hierarchy, had given rise to reports that the Vatican might cut down the number of diocese in the country. (There are now 26 dioceses in Ireland: an unusually large number for a country with a population of under 5 million.) The report addressed that question but did not resolve it, saying that “the Holy See and the Irish bishops have already initiated a joint reflection on the present configuration of dioceses in Ireland, with a view to adapting diocesan structures to make them better suited to the present-day mission of the Church in Ireland.”
New Search in Donegal to resume for the body of Mary Boyle missing since 1977
Mary Boyle missing since 1977. Mary Age Progressed 30 years
Searches for the body of Mary Boyle could bring some closure soon for her Mother if the powers of a Dutch psychic are fulfilled , Mary went missing in 1977, searches are to start again in a swamp near her grandparents’ home.
The six-year-old twin vanished from Cashelard just outside Ballyshannon in Co Donegal, exactly 35 years ago yesterday.
Her family had gone to her mother’s parents to attend an anniversary Mass for her uncle on St Patrick’s Day. After lunch next day, Mary began following her uncle and godfather, Gerry, to a neighbour’s house, but she is believed to have turned back along the way. She was never seen again.
Despite an intensive garda investigation and a wide search, no trace of her has ever been found.
But her cousin, country singer Margo O’Donnell, who initiated a search of a swamp not far from the remote farmhouse with the aid of a Dutch psychic last year, said: “I know we are very close to finding Mary Boyle. I believe she could be found this year.”
Margo, who is working closely with Mary’s twin sister, Ann Doherty, has vowed that they will not give up until they find Mary’s remains.
The singer, a sister of Daniel O’Donnell, said they believed there must be somebody who could help them, even after all this time.
“This is not about finding a killer but if there is somebody out there who feels they know something, then it is not too late to give us that information and it will be treated with the highest respect. This is about bringing Mary home,” she said.
She said searches would resume in the area with assistance from the Dutch psychic. ”This is the place where we believe Mary’s remains are.”
Speaking at her home near Kincasslagh, Mary Boyle’s grieving, widowed mother Ann said her missing daughter was never out of her mind.
“Until Mary is found and I can say for positive what happened to Mary I will keep an open mind.” Mary’s father, Charlie Boyle, died in a fishing accident in July 2005.
‘Walk In My Shoes’ of a young adult with a mental illness ‘Three stars drive to help raise awareness’
A CAMPAIGN urging people to “walk in the shoes” of a young adult with a mental illness has been launched by well-known figures, including the above stars U2 bassist Adam Clayton, snooker player Ken Doherty and hurler DJ Carey.
Walk in My Shoes day calls on people all over Ireland to wear mismatched or unusual shoes on April 26th and to donate € 2.
It will raise funds to support mental health services for young people aged 18 to 25 at St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin.
“Money raised will be used to help put young people back on the road to mental health,” Clayton said. Broadcasters John Murray, Brent Pope and Dáithí Ó Sé, as well as publishing entrepreneur Norah Casey of Dragons’ Den, also backed the campaign. The idea originated from a young service user at the hospital who wished his friends could “walk in his shoes” to understand his mental illness.
The transition from adolescence to adulthood is “so much more difficult” with mental health problems, said Mary Connellan of St Patrick’s University Hospital. Three-quarters of mental health difficulties begin before 24, she said. “Early intervention can give people real hope of returning to a normal life,” she added.
Marine casualty Inquiry into the Lough Corrib boat death in Galway
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has begun an inquiry into the death of a Galway angler who fell overboard in Lough Corrib on Monday afternoon.
The man who died after falling into the water from an angling boat has been named as Michael Ruane (53) of Devon Park in Salthill, Galway. Also hospitalised was a 47-year-old fellow angler from Oranmore who was treated for hypothermia after he attempted to help his companion.
The anglers were several kilometres north of Annaghdown, close to Lough Corrib’s narrows, when their craft was hit by a wave and Mr Ruane was thrown overboard. His lifejacket floated free, and he was in the water for an estimated 50 minutes.
The alarm was raised by the crew of another angling craft at about 4.40pm, and Valentia Coast Guard tasked the Irish Coast Guard and the Irish Red Cross Corrib Mask rescue team.
The Corrib Mask rescue team paid tribute to other anglers who had helped search for Mr Ruane.
Met Éireann had issued a small craft warning for this area on Monday morning, forecasting southwesterly winds of force six to seven.
Inland Fisheries Ireland head of operations Dr Greg Forde expressed his sympathy to the angler’s family. He urged people to check weather forecasts before going out in boats.
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