Religious groups are taken aback by the apostolic visitation recommendation that "the religious in Ireland consider developing a collaborative ministerial outreach to those suffering from the effects of abuse".
Conference of Religious in Ireland director general Sr Marianne O’Connor said the recommendation did not seem to recognise the support provided to survivors.
"For example, through Towards Healing, which is jointed funded, €20m has already been spent with another €10m pledged. It has already provided help to 5,000 survivors over the last 15 years with 29,000 counselling sessions alone last year."
She accepted there was a need for even more support but added: "The way it [the recommendation] is framed, seems to indicate nothing is happening up to this point."
Otherwise, her group praised the "thorough" approach of the visitation team.
It said the report showed a sound understanding of the failures of the past and the challenges facing the Church. It said the report recognised that many "good priests and religious" had been unjustly tainted by association with those accused of abuse.
Sr O’Connor said religious congregations would review the team’s findings with a view to ensuring work on child safeguarding, support for survivors, and religious congregational life continues.
John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross, said the visitation team’s report reiterated once again that there was no place in the Church for those who harm the young.
He said he had invited the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church to review of child protection in his diocese.
She accepted there was a need for even more support but added: "The way it [the recommendation] is framed, seems to indicate nothing is happening up to this point."
Otherwise, her group praised the "thorough" approach of the visitation team.
It said the report showed a sound understanding of the failures of the past and the challenges facing the Church. It said the report recognised that many "good priests and religious" had been unjustly tainted by association with those accused of abuse.
Sr O’Connor said religious congregations would review the team’s findings with a view to ensuring work on child safeguarding, support for survivors, and religious congregational life continues.
John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross, said the visitation team’s report reiterated once again that there was no place in the Church for those who harm the young.
He said he had invited the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church to review of child protection in his diocese.