TWO of Ireland's most senior bishops acknowledged yesterday that both the Church and Irish society failed to properly protect children.The Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, issued a joint Christmas message in which they prayed for healing and support for all victims of abuse.
"We are all painfully aware that as Church and Society we did not always honour or protect our children. We pray for healing and comfort for all victims of abuse," the bishops' message said.
Both Dr Buckley and Dr Colton said that the inspiration of Christmas was needed now more than ever given the challenges posed throughout 2009.
"The past year has seen growing unemployment, people falling further into debt and a shocking increase in a sense of helplessness and fear of the future," they said.
"The floods have merely added to that sense of helplessness and despair. Organisations like Share and the Society of St Vincent De Paul are working harder than ever to bring Christmas cheer to the people."
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