Priests and bishops share the public's anger and distress at the
church's mishandling of clerical child sex abuse, it has been claimed.
Marking
Reek Sunday on Croagh Patrick, Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary said it
was understandable that practicing Catholics felt discouraged by recent
revelations.
He said the Church had been shaken by wrongdoing.
"We
are very conscious of the difficulties on life's journey, the enormous
difficulties besetting our Church, chiefly in the number of innocent
people who have suffered through the wrong-doing of some priests," the
Archbishop said. "It is understandable that many good and faithful
Catholics experience distress and discouragement after the revelations
of the mishandling of abuse cases.
"Many are angered and appalled
by what they have learnt. Indeed, these feelings are shared by priests,
religious and, yes, bishops too."
Archbishop Neary celebrated mass on the summit of Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo for the annual Reek Sunday pilgrimage.
Mayo Mountain Rescue estimated that up to 20,000 people climbed the mountain in foggy conditions.
Some
120 rescue personnel were on duty, with a spokesman stating that up to
50 people had been treated for minor ailments by mid afternoon.
"We're busy but not stretched," he said.
He
said a number had been taken off the mountain by stretcher for sprains
or lower leg injuries, but there were no serious incidents.