A SENIOR Vatican investigator into clerical child sex abuse scandals in Ireland Sunday spoke of the Pope's determination that such evil does not happen again.
But Archbishop of Toronto Thomas Collins
warned the congregation in Thurles Cathedral, Co Tipperary, that "even
one priest gone wrong" caused immense harm, and that throughout the
world priests had done unspeakable evil, sometimes at church events.
Archbishop Collins has been instructed by Pope Benedict XVI to conduct an inquiry into the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and to submit a report on his findings to the Pontiff by Easter.
Speaking
at a penitential service, Archbishop Collins said a practical way in
which the Catholic Church could show its concern was by "doing all that
we can to learn from this experience of evil, and so to try to be sure
that it never happens again".
Devastating
But he added that the evil of the sexual abuse of the young was all the more devastating when the perpetrators were priests.
"We
cannot escape the horror of this by pointing out that the great
majority of priests serve faithfully, with integrity and compassion,"
said Archbishop Collins.
"But even one priest gone wrong causes
immense harm, and throughout the world priests have done unspeakable
evil, sometimes within the very sacramental setting which should above
all environments be most sacred and safe.
"But it is the sacred
responsibility of us all, but most especially of the authorities in the
church, to do what we can to prevent such evil, and to deal with it
effectively whenever it is found.
"The crimes themselves, and the failure of church authorities to respond adequately to them, are both great scandals.
"We
recognise the courage of the victims and their families who came
forward and shone the cleansing light of truth on their suffering," he
added.
Over the next few days Archbishop Collins will hold
confidential meetings with abuse victims, and he has already held
private discussions with 20 priests.
SIC: II/IE