Pope expresses 'outrage' after report on sexual abuse in Ireland

By Luigi Sandri

Rome, 14 December (ENI). Pope Benedict XVI has said he is "disturbed and distressed" by the findings of an official report that says the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland failed to deal with allegations of sexual abuse. A Vatican statement issued after a meeting in Rome between the Pope and senior Irish bishops said that the pontiff, "shares the outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland", and is to draw up a document on the consequences for the church there. The meeting followed the publication of an Irish government-commissioned report, which concluded that church authorities had covered up abuse over three decades. [493 words, ENI-09-0977]

This summary may be copied or re-posted provided the information printed below is retained.

Individual paragraphs may be reproduced provided ENI is acknowledged as the source.

For details of subscriptions to the full ENI News Service, which contains full text articles, contact ENI at the address below.

ENI Online - www.eni.ch

Ecumenical News International
PO Box 2100
CH - 1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland

Tel: (41-22) 791 6088/6111
Fax: (41-22) 788 7244
Email: eni@eni.ch