MAYNOOTH - 1 November 2005 - 190 words

Irish bishops hold special meeting on child protection

A special meeting on child protection was held yesterday by the Irish Episcopal Conference in St Patrick's College, Maynooth. 

The Bishops apologised to all those people hurt at the hands of abusers in the Church. Bishops expressed their deep sadness at the findings of the Ferns Inquiry and especially those pages retelling the pain experienced by those who have suffered.

The Bishops discussed the report of the Ferns Inquiry at length. Arising from the report, the Minister for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan TD, wrote to the President of the Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Seán Brady. The Bishops discussed the issues raised in the letter from Minister Lenihan.

The Bishops agreed to respond rapidly and positively to the proposals outlined in Minister Lenihan's correspondence.

The Bishops restated their commitment to ensuring that the Church sets an example of best practice in the area of child protection. At the meeting, the Bishops agreed to publicly launch the Church's new national policy, Our Children: Our Church, next month.  The Bishops are committed to implementing this document from parish level up.

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office

© Independent Catholic News 2005

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