Irish bishops meet with abuse survivors to prepare for meeting with Pope

Feb 9, 2010 / 00:29 am

A second meeting between Irish bishops and representatives of victims of abuse by priests and Church-run institutions was held on Monday. The meeting focused on victims’ concerns and on informing the bishops’ preparations for their upcoming meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.

The meeting in Maynooth involved Tom Hayes of the Alliance Support Group, John Kelley and Patrick Walsh of Irish SOCA, Michael O’Brien of Right to Peace, and Michael Walsh of the group Right of Place.

The bishops involved were Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise Colm O’Reilly, Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey, Bishop of Cork and Ross John Buckley and Bishop of Killala John Fleming.

“Today’s meeting was constructive and helpful to us as we prepare to meet the Holy Father next week,” said Bishop McAreavey. “The meeting focused on the ongoing concerns of survivors. We intend to relay these concerns to Pope Benedict both verbally and in the form of written submissions which were presented to us today by survivors and which directly represent their views.”

All the Irish bishops will reportedly meet with Pope Benedict from Feb. 15-16.