The Archbishop of Armagh, Sean Brady, has said an independent audit of the controversy surrounding clerical child sexual abuse would be undertaken. The Archbishop made the announcement at a news conference, which was also attended by Cardinal Desmond Connell.
He said that all information that was relevant and necessary to discover the truth would be made available to the auditors. In answering a question from a journalist, he said this could include files relating to such abuse if the auditors thought them relevant and necessary. He said the audit's terms of reference were still being drawn up, but that this was a practical and concrete step.
The press conference took place following a day-long meeting of the Catholic Hierarchy in Maynooth to discuss clerical child sex abuse. The extraordinary general meeting was dominated by the issue of whether or not all diocesan files relating to such abuse can be handed over to State investigators. There was concern that Rome may continue to insist on canon law limits to this.
Bishops attending the meeting in St Patrick's heard the views of a number of lay people. Before the meeting, Irish Times columnist, Breda O'Brien, said she would be telling the meeting that a lot of people, not just the victims, were anxious to see the bishops do the right thing and show openness and transparency.
Meanwhile, a man who was sexually abused by Catholic clergy confronted several bishops and the Papal Nuncio as they left the extraordinary meeting. A visibly upset Gerard Kelly asked the Papal Nuncio and the other bishops if the Church would release all files related to clerical sexual abuse.
The executive of the National Conference of Priests is meeting tomorrow to discuss clerical sexual abuse. On RTÉ Radio, their President Fr John Littleton said it was time for the Catholic hierarchy to respond positively to requests for information about abuse cases.
Yesterday, Dr Connell told a congregation celebrating the bicentenary of the founding of the Christian brothers about the unspeakable harm and suffering which abusing brothers caused to their victims, and underlined the grave scandal that had resulted.
He said this was a profoundly difficult moment for the Church and, quoting the Pope, he said 'a dark shadow of suspicion' had been cast over so many priests and religious, 'who perform their ministry with honesty and integrity and often with heroic self-sacrifice'.
