Friday, December 05, 2008

Archbishop: Clerical abuse `staggering'

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has described the scale of abuse by priests of the Dublin Diocese as ''staggering''.

In a letter to priests, marked 'private and confidential', Dr Martin informs the clergy that diocesan statistics indicate that at least 400 men and women have suffered trauma as a result of having been sexually abused by a priest working in the Dublin diocese.

''This is a staggering figure and it is most certainly not final,'' Dr Martin writes.

The archbishop is to host a number of meetings to prepare priests for the fallout from the report of the Dublin Inquiry into abuse in the diocese.

The inquiry is expected to finish its work at the end of January 2009 and the report may be published within weeks.

''We as priests are extremely upset and offended by what has happened through the actions of some. The good name of all priests and indeed of our priesthood is tarnished,'' he writes.

The series of meetings scheduled to take place early next month, are aimed at allowing priests the opportunity to discuss the report.

Dr Martin says that the meetings are for priests to ''reflect on how we can pastorally address the needs of those people affected by or involved in the report of the Commission.

''Suffering will be reawakened in the hearts of many by the publication of the report.

''As a diocese we have to respond with honesty, regret and courage, but also in a manner which shows Christian care and understanding,'' the archbishop adds.

The five meetings are scheduled to take place in different parts of the diocese and the archbishop will attend each meeting.

''I believe that the matter is of such significance for all of us to request that every priest will do everything possible to attend,'' he writes.
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(Source: IC)