VICTIMS' GROUPS:VICTIM ADVOCACY group One in Four has issued a statement on what it believes Pope Benedict should say in his pastoral letter.
The fictitious letter, addressed to the “Dear People of Ireland” is written in the voice of the pope.
It begins: “I am writing to apologise for the devastation of the lives of thousands of Irish people through their sexual abuse in childhood by Catholic priests ...”
The document implies that the Catholic Church “at the highest levels has always known about the clerical sexual abuse of children”.
“We have pursued a deliberate policy of cover-up, protecting sex offenders in order to avoid scandal, with no regard for the safety of children. The scandal of clerical sexual abuse is international and extends far beyond the Irish Church.
“We have colluded to silence victims of abuse, as revealed in recent days. We have also silenced and sanctioned courageous priests and lay people who have tried to expose the endemic sexual abuse within the church. For this I am deeply sorry.”
It criticises the adversarial approach adopted by the church and “attempts to deny or minimise their experiences”. “We did this out of self-interest, the purpose of which was to protect our wealth.”
It says that “blind obedience and allegiance to the institutional church” has resulted in an institution which is now far removed from the message of Christ and it apologises for alienating victims and others from the church.
It also calls for the resignation of senior clergy: “I acknowledge fully that all senior churchmen must be accountable for the culture of secrecy and cover-up which exists. I ask every man in a leadership position within the church to reflect on his actions or inactions, and to tender his resignation if his behaviour led to the endangerment of children,” it states.
The fictitious letter also calls for the mandatory reporting of all allegations of sexual abuse to the civil authorities.
Meanwhile, SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) said that at this point it was decisive action and not words which were needed.
Whatever came from the Vatican “may make a few adults temporarily feel better, said Peter Isely, a director of SNAP. “It won’t make any kids safer. It won’t shed light on hidden truths. It won’t discipline wrongdoers. It won’t deter more wrongdoing. That requires courageous action, not a papal letter.”