The Apostolic Visitation Report

LAST week, the Vatican, published its findings in a summary report from its recent pastoral visitation to the Irish Church.

The report speaks about the Irish Catholic Church, which finds itself reflecting “with a great sense of shame that innocent young people were abused by clerics and religious in Ireland.

Those who should have exercised vigilance often failed to do so effectively”. The seven-and-a-half page report made several recommendations and said it was up to the Irish Church to implement the findings of the visitation teams.

The need for a new focus on the role of the laity in accordance with the social teachings of the Church is identified as one of a series of pastoral priorities. The need for deeper formation in the content of the faith for young people and adults is also highlighted, as is the need to identify better ways to reach younger generations. The report says a very careful review is needed of the training given to teachers of religions, the Catholic identity of schools and their relationship with their parishes to ensure “a sound and well-balanced education”.

In this context, there seems to be little appetite for the kind of extensive reform of the primary education system that minister for education Rúairí Quinn has in mind.

Concern was expressed over a “fairly widespread” tendency among priests and laity to disagree with the teaching of the magisterial and the visiting church men felt that this required particular attention. The report declared dissent from fundamental Church teachings was “not the authentic path towards renewal”.

Concern for orthodoxy, obedience and control were consistent features, offering little hope for change in relation to the ordination of married men or indeed women priests. Instead, regarding seminarians and celibacy, the report noted that seminary buildings should be used by seminarians alone as this would ensure “a well-founded priestly identity”.

I have a fear about this, that such an environment may cultivate a sense of elitism and indeed clericalism for those in formation to priesthood.

The report acknowledges that much attention and care has been shown to victims. It recommends that diocesan authorities and religious institutes continue to devote much time listening to victims as well as providing support for them and their families.

“The meetings with the victims of abuse helped the delegation to understand better various aspects of the problem of sexual abuse of minors that took place in Ireland,” says the report.

The delegation verified that the Church’s guidelines for safeguarding children were being followed and recommended that the process of auditing the performance of all diocese and religious institutes be promptly implemented.

It found that the work of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Church was “thorough and far reaching”. The report also reflected on the role of religious congregations and suggested a continuation and greater engagement with those suffering the effects of abuse.

We can never put a line under the horror of all that has been revealed by heroic survivors. In honouring their integrity, the Irish Church now faces a mighty challenge.

Will this report end up as an historical document or perhaps a real catalyst for the Irish hierarchy to engage in a new way in building the good news for now and the future?