AN unprecedented probe ordered by Pope Benedict XVI into the Irish
Catholic Church and child protection issues is expected to take place by
the end of next month.
However, no final date has yet been set
for the Apostolic Visitation here by international prelates, ordered by
the Holy See in March after the publication of the shocking Murphy
Report into top level cover-ups of paedophile clerics.
But the
Irish Independent has learned that the Vatican told the four Irish
archbishops that it will soon announce details of next month's
programme.
Yesterday, the country's bishops, meeting for their
annual autumn conference in Maynooth, remained silent on their view of
the planned visit, which will see two cardinals and three archbishops
from England, America and Canada investigating the Irish archdioceses
and seminaries.
There was no press conference or public statement
from the Bishops' Conference which is chaired by Cardinal Sean Brady,
the leader of the Irish church.
The regular quarterly meeting of
the bishops was postponed to allow for the visit to Rome by Cardinal
Brady and Archbishops Diarmuid Martin, Dermot Clifford and Michael
Neary.
Earlier this month, the four most senior Irish prelates met
the international delegation to finalise the format of the visitation
and to whom they will be talking.
The Vatican has said the
visitors "will give particular attention to victims of abuse and their
families, but will also meet with and listen to a variety of people,
including ecclesiastical authorities, lay faithful and those involved
with the crucial work of safeguarding children".
Pope Benedict has
invited the Irish Catholic community to support his initiative with
their prayers. He hopes the visitation may be for the faithful "an
occasion of renewed fervour in the Christian life, and that it may
deepen their faith and strengthen their hope in Christ our Saviour".
Congress
Another
key item on the bishops' agenda yesterday was the 50th International
Eucharistic Congress which is due to take place in Dublin from June 10
to June 17, 2012, 80 years after the last time the international event
was held in Ireland.
The celebration is expected to attract
thousands of pilgrims to the country.
A decision on whether Pope
Benedict will attend is not expected to be made until nearer the date.
SIC: II/IE