RCNI Press Release - 16 February 2010
Rape Crisis Network Ireland express disappointment at meeting between the Irish bishops and Pope Benedict
Rape Crisis Network Ireland expressed deep disappointment at the tone of the meeting between the Irish bishops and Pope Benedict at the Vatican.
Executive Director Fiona Neary said “on the day that we hear the papal nuncio to Ireland has declined an invitation to appear before a government committee, we also hear the Pope make reference to ‘the weakening of faith as a significant contributing factor in the sexual abuse of minors’.
It is shocking to the rape crisis sector that the systemic failures of the institutions of the Catholic faith are not mentioned as being a significant contributory factor in the sexual abuse of minors. It is clear that the most senior levels of Catholic institutions remain unable to take responsibility for their collusion with the abuse of children in Ireland.
This was an opportunity for Pope Benedict to recognise the systemic failures of the church in Ireland, and the particular failures of his office which repeatedly failed to put child protection above protecting the good name of alleged abusers. It was an opportunity for the Pope to apologise to victims for the Church’s reluctance and failure to report sex offenders to civil authorities, thus protecting and enabling abusers. This was an opportunity wasted’.
Contact: Fiona Neary: 087 2222009
Executive Director Fiona Neary said “on the day that we hear the papal nuncio to Ireland has declined an invitation to appear before a government committee, we also hear the Pope make reference to ‘the weakening of faith as a significant contributing factor in the sexual abuse of minors’.
It is shocking to the rape crisis sector that the systemic failures of the institutions of the Catholic faith are not mentioned as being a significant contributory factor in the sexual abuse of minors. It is clear that the most senior levels of Catholic institutions remain unable to take responsibility for their collusion with the abuse of children in Ireland.
This was an opportunity for Pope Benedict to recognise the systemic failures of the church in Ireland, and the particular failures of his office which repeatedly failed to put child protection above protecting the good name of alleged abusers. It was an opportunity for the Pope to apologise to victims for the Church’s reluctance and failure to report sex offenders to civil authorities, thus protecting and enabling abusers. This was an opportunity wasted’.
Ends
Contact: Fiona Neary: 087 2222009
Rape Crisis Network Ireland, The Halls, Quay Street, Galway, Ireland
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
091 563676
091 563677
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
