Pope Benedict Holds 90 Minute Meeting with Leaders of the Irish Church Summoned to Rome

Pope Benedict and members of the Roman Curia held a 90 minute meeting with Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh and Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

ROME (Catholic Online) - After meeting for an hour and a half with leaders of the Irish Church - which he had summoned to Rome - Pope Benedict XVI announced that he will issue a Pastoral Letter to the people of Ireland. Clearly, as is evident in the authorized statement set forth below from the Press Office of the Holy See, Pope Benedict XVI is deeply upset and will be taking strong remedial action:

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"Today the Holy Father held a meeting with senior Irish Bishops and high-ranking members of the Roman Curia. He listened to their concerns and discussed with them the traumatic events that were presented in the Irish Commission of Investigation's Report into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin.

After careful study of the Report, the Holy Father was deeply disturbed and distressed by its contents. He wishes once more to express his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and by society at large.

The Holy Father shares the outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland, and he is united with them in prayer at this difficult time in the life of the Church.

His Holiness asks Catholics in Ireland and throughout the world to join him in praying for the victims, their families and all those affected by these heinous crimes.

He assures all concerned that the Church will continue to follow this grave matter with the closest attention in order to understand better how these shameful events came to pass and how best to develop effective and secure strategies to prevent any recurrence.

The Holy See takes very seriously the central issues raised by the Report, including questions concerning the governance of local Church leaders with ultimate responsibility for the pastoral care of children.

The Holy Father intends to address a Pastoral Letter to the faithful of Ireland in which he will clearly indicate the initiatives that are to be taken in response to the situation.

Finally, His Holiness encourages all those who have dedicated their lives in generous service to children to persevere in their good works in imitation of Christ the Good Shepherd."

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Underscoring the seriousness of the meeting is the participants from the Curia who accompanied the Pope. The Irish Times reported that present in the 90 minute meeting along with Pope Benedict XVI were Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and five Cardinals from the Roman Curia: the Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone SDB, and the prefects of the Congregations for the Doctrine of the Faith, William Levada, Giovanni Battista Re of Bishops, Claudio Hummes OFM of Clergy, Franc Rodé CM of CICLSAL, the "Congregation for Religious," and the nuncio to Dublin, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza.

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