THE Irish Catholic Church will not address the issue of clerical sex abuse during the week-long International Eucharistic Congress, organisers confirmed yesterday.The decision was confirmed on the same day a Filipino archbishop held an hour-long discussion on clerical sex abuse in Asia.
But organisers of the Dublin event have defended their decision not to include an equivalent address by an Irish archbishop.
Congress general secretary Fr Kevin Doran told the Irish Independent it was felt a presentation from someone who was outside "the situation" would be more appropriate.
Earlier, Archbishop of Manila Luis Antonio Tagle spoke of the abuse crisis from an Asian perspective. He discussed the need to develop pastoral guidelines for handling cases of clerical sex abuse and for a greater understanding of celibacy among clergy.
Papal legate Cardinal Marc Ouellet earlier travelled to Co Donegal ahead of a private overnight pilgrimage to Lough Derg.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin announced to gathered pilgrims at an outdoor afternoon Mass that the legate's visit was a further gesture of repentance to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse by priests and religious orders.