Cardinal Pell said that prison was “difficult and unpleasant”, but not the worst possible form of suffering. It reinforced the truth of the Christian view of redemptive suffering.
The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, stated that the Catholic Bishops of Australia believe all Australians must be equal under the law “and accept today’s judgment accordingly.”
“While at all times honouring the wish of those survivors who may not want to be contacted by the Church, I wish to offer my support and invitation to meet with anyone who has suffered abuse.”
"I am hoping we in Ireland can share the terrible things that have happened here, so that other countries in the world that have not yet recognised or noticed among them that abuse is happening may be alerted."
Lighting the candles of atonement will bring to mind those who have been left “with lifelong suffering as a result of abuse, whose trust was so deeply betrayed and whose faith has been so cruelly tested within the sanctity of the Church”.
The secrecy surrounding the Church's accountability process for those failing to report child abuse increases the pereception that there is no process in place, says Irish clerical abuse survivor Marie Collins.
Marie Collins tells We Are Church gathering, “If there is no consistent agreement across the Church as to what is sexual abuse of a minor, then how can we have any hope of consistent handling of the issue?”
“I ask forgiveness from all those I offended and I hope to be able to do so personally, in the coming weeks, in the meetings I will have with representatives of the people who were interviewed.”
Nine new members appointed to the Commission, and seven of the previous members reappointed including Jesuit, Fr Hans Zollner and Mgr Robert Oliver from Boston.
A photograph shows Marie Collins handing a letter written to the Pope by Juan Carlos Cruz, detailing Karadima's abuse and Barros' role, to Cardinal Sean O'Malley.
“Failure to recognise and respond appropriately to the complex issues which abuse presents has, at times, compounded the profound and harmful impact on the lives of many young and vulnerable persons.”
Columban priest Fr Shay Cullen receives the 2017 Martin Buber Award in the Netherlands.
Bulk of 86 new allegations relate to the period from the 1950s up to the 1990s, with a sharp drop in numbers after the year 2000.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin was joined by most of the Irish hierarchy and the Papal Nuncio for the funeral Mass of the late Dr Connell at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral in Dublin.
www.protectionofminors.va provides resources across four categories: ‘Healing and Care’, ‘Guidelines’, ‘Education’, and the ‘Day of Prayer [for the Victims and Survivors of Sexual Abuse]’.
Case of abuse reported in 2015 "deserves particular mention as it happened so recently, demonstrating that a risk to children still exists” - NBSCCCI CEO Teresa Devlin.
“I have received a detailed signed retraction and admission that lies were told and a signed apology. My legal fees were paid and a generous donation was paid to my nominated charity, Aware.”
“The Church is at a cross-roads,” he said, “and we could get stuck at the cross-roads unless we decide to respond proactively”.
Dawn Eden jokes that she felt she had to be “joyfully chaste” because her conversion wouldn't have been really worth it unless there was some joy to it.
"Dedicated and doggedly persistent, she was an example of God-centred religious life."
Over 5.2 million adults and children have gone through the safe environment programme in the US - Mgr Steve Rossetti.
Women's Aid, which works to combat domestic violence, appeals to young women to know the difference between 'safe' and 'sinister' on Valentine's Day.
Everything possible must be done to rid the Church of the scourge of the sexual abuse of minors.
Parallel drawn between Mary Magdalene and disgraced founder Marcial Maciel.
No room for exclusivity within the Church Archbishop Martin warns in Australian address.
A win for the children of Ireland, says Louise O'Keeffe
Figures show Vatican stepped up efforts to remove clerical abusers in recent years.
Papal message addressed to prominent Italian non-believer.
