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Cardinal Sean O'Malley, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. CARDO DE LUCA/AP/Press Association Images
Church Abuse
Apostolic visit criticised for giving out 'very bad message'
The cardinal sent to Ireland to oversee the handling of the clerical sex abuse crisis has celebrated mass alongside two bishops strongly criticised in the Murphy report.
A CARDINAL WHO has been sent to Ireland to investigate child protection in Dublin has been criticised for concelebrating mass in Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral alongside two bishops criticised in the Murphy Report.
Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston was joined on the altar by archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Bishop Dermot O’Mahony and Bishop Éamonn Walsh on Sunday.
The Irish Times quotes abuse survivor Marie Collins as saying that the participation of O’Mahony and Walsh sent out “a very, very bad message”. Collins said that O’Mahony had “never shown any regret” or ever accepted the Murphy report findings.
Walsh tendered his resignation last December after he was criticised in the Murphy report, however his resignation was not accepted by the pope.
O’Malley has travelled to Dublin to meet with victims of clerical sex abuse. He has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to oversee and advise the Irish Catholic church on its handling of the crisis.
O’Malley said that anyone who wanted to speak with him and share their testimony should contact the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin to request an appointment.
He is planning a second trip to Ireland for the new year.
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