Pope Sends Pastoral Letter To Irish Catholics Addressing Clergy Sexual Abuse

Vatican Radio reports that Pope Benedict XVI today sent a Pastor Letter to all Catholics in Ireland apologizing for the sexual abuse of young people by Catholic clergy, and for the way in which the matter was handled by local clergy and religious superiors. Last May, a special government commission released a lengthy report on abuse at Catholic institutions in Ireland from 1936 to the present. (See prior posting.) The Pope's letter (full text) charged Irish bishops with "grave errors of judgment" and "failures of leadership." According to BBC News, groups representing victims of abuse have a mixed reaction to the Pope's letter, with some believing that Irish Cardinal Sean Brady should resign because of his reported role in the cover up of abuse charges. Others, however, pointing to the passage in the letter instructing bishops and religious superiors to "cooperate with civil authorities in their area of competence," say this means the Pope believes that those guilty of sexual abuse should face criminal prosecution.