Meeting of bishops discusses 'harrowing' scoping inquiry

The publication of a report into historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders has been described by Irish Catholic Bishops as "a further step in shining the light of truth into our collective past".

The Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders report, which they described as "harrowing reading", was discussed the Autumn 2024 General Meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference which has concluded in Maynooth.

They said the failure of individuals and institutions was "a strong theme" in the report, and that the absence of both a culture of child safeguarding and of general respect towards children and their families was "all too obvious".

The bishops' said that while the safeguarding of children "is now well established" in policy and culture across the school system and in wider Church and civil society, "we cannot relent in our vigilance or in continuing to address the traumas of the past.

"It is an indispensable part of the renewal of the life of the Church in Ireland".

First anniversary of Israel-Hamas war

Members of the conference also discussed the first anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war.

They prayed for Irish peacekeeping troops and reflected on Pope Francis' statement in May, when he called for peace.

The bishops said that they were mindful that, "in the Holy Land, the anniversary of the appalling attacks by Hamas on Israeli citizens falls on Monday next, 7 October".

They noted that according to the latest data from health officials in Gaza, 41,000 people had been killed there, including Israeli hostages, while other hostages remain illegally detained and at grave risk.

They said the clear violations of international law, as indicated by the ruling in July of the International Court of Justice, must compel the international community to ensure accountability for such violations.

"Humanity deserves a much more honest and determined effort on the part of the international community to address the causes of conflict and its impact on people, families and society," they said.

Migration

Highlighting Pope Francis' message on World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2024 last Sunday - in which he encouraged people to pray for, and support, all migrants and refugees - the Bishops in Ireland said the Church at all levels was driven to build a sustainable sense of belonging and integration, one which recognises the many challenges facing society.

A pastoral letter from the Bishops' Conference will be published this month to "appraise how hospitable contemporary Ireland is to migrant people".

Northern Ireland

Members at the conference prayed for the success of the new power sharing executive in Northern Ireland and urged that it address key public policy issues of poverty, health and social services, education, housing and homelessness as well as continuing the journey of reconciliation, peace and the building of sustainable relationships across the island of Ireland, and with Britain.

Synod

As the second session of the Synod of Bishops gets underway in the Vatican before Pope Francis receives a final document on the future direction of the church, the conference noted that a number of Irish representatives would be in attendance.

Synodal listening has moved through parish, diocesan, national, and continental stages, "fostering continuous dialogue with the Universal Church", since 2021.