SEANAD REPORT: CATHOLICS who lived by the Gospel should be given an opportunity to participate in a day of penance or reflection for the victims of clerical sexual abuse, Martin Conway (FG) suggested.
As a practising Catholic, he was ashamed at the latest disclosures concerning abuse in a number of dioceses. He thought the church needed to do something positive as a response.
Its leaders should pick a day and open up churches to people who wanted to express their disgust and abhorrence.
Church members should be enabled to attend church on a designated day to pray for the many victims whose lives had been destroyed as a result of child sexual abuse within the church.
“I think that something like that would be appropriate for ordinary, decent Catholics to express how they feel about what has gone on.”
Mary White (FF) said Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald should establish a full, independent commission of investigation, with a remit to assess the handling of child abuse allegations by both the church and the State.