Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has asked Dublin diocesan officials to brace themselves for the imminent publication of the report into clerical abuse in the sprawling diocese. Officials are expecting the report to generate a great deal of public anger at the Church's handling of sexual abuse by priests, and a number of priests have expressed trepidation at the potential fallout.
The report was handed to the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern TD this week and one diocesan official, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Irish Catholic that the Church's effort ''will keep the needs of victims top of the agenda''. It is unclear exactly when the report will be published. However, it is understood the Attorney General, Paul Gallagher, may authorise the publication within days.
The Irish Catholic understands that diocesan officials have been ensuring that existing support services will be stepped up in the immediate aftermath of the report. ''We know that more victims who have not previously spoken of their suffering may come forward and we need to be ready for that,'' one official said.
In recent days a full list of counselling and outreach services aimed at victims of abuse has been prominently placed on the archdiocese's website. Similar details have also been posted on the bishops' conference website.
Diocesan officials are keen that the report will be published as soon as possible and will be putting pressure on the Government to avoid unnecessary delays.
It is understood that the Dublin archdiocese has appointed several people who will be responsible for handling media queries in relation to the publication of the report. ''We are very aware that the religious congregations handled the fallout from the Ryan Report disastrously, that is something we are determined to avoid.
''We will be underlining the fact that Archbishop Martin and the entire diocese have invested a great deal of time, effort and resources to ensuring that the Church is at the forefront of child protection,'' he said.
Trained staff
As part of the diocesan response each parish now has a trained child protection officer responsible for ensuring 'best practice' as well as addressing any concerns or allegations that may arise.
Dr Martin has asked parishes to prepare their own individual responses to the report of the Commission and he will not be writing a letter to be read out at Masses following the publication.
Since succeeding Cardinal Desmond Connell in 2004, Dr Martin has pursued a policy of transparency and frequently issued detailed statements outlining the number of allegations made against Dublin priests.
He has also written to priests in the diocese advising them that the contents of the report will be shocking.
A child protection officer who worked closely with Dublin priests on the issue told The Irish Catholic ''there is a great deal of fear among priests and lay people about what this report will contain.
''We know a lot of the numbers and the fact that hundreds of children suffered terrible abuse, but, many are anxious to see the failures in leadership that allowed these terrible crimes to go on,'' she said.
Overwhelming anxiety
One priest who spoke to The Irish Catholic this week confirmed that ''there is an overwhelming sense of anxiety across the archdiocese''.
Another priest said ''with the Ferns Report the priests were only names to me, whereas now it will be people that I know and that I have worked with, and that makes it much more personal.
''I think the report will be traumatic for everyone, obviously the suffering of the victims is the highest priority, but priests will be humiliated and it will have a desperate affect on the archdiocese,'' he said.
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