Following publication of Pope Benedict XVI’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland in March 2010 Cardinal Seán Brady invited reflection and response.  Since then many people have made their views known. 

Bishop Seamus Freeman, Bishop of Ossory, Chairman of the Council for Pastoral Renewal and Adult Faith Formation, has written a letter to all who have responded acknowledging their contribution and the concerns they have expressed. 

 

Bishop Freeman’s Letter

An overview of the responses to the Pope Benedict XVI’s Letter

Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland

 

Many of the replies have called for a spiritual and structural renewal of the Irish Church.

In response the Bishops have said that they are ‘committed to work with you towards the inclusive and mission-oriented Church, which we are called to be by St. Paul, Vatican II and Pope Benedict, and which you so clearly desire’.

Bishop Freeman believes that his brief reply ‘can be the beginning of a dialogue at every level especially on the more urgent questions that need to be addressed at this time’.

If you wish to make a response to the Pope’s letter please email your comments to: pastoralrenewal@iecon.ie

The websites below give some details of Church responses to the abuse of children

Vatican Website on the Church’s response to the abuse of children

Safeguarding Children details in the Diocese of Kilmore