Gilmore: Nuncio's letter provided pretext for bishops' non-cooperation
the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has this afternoon issued a response to the Vatican's document saying some of the arguments put forward by the Vatican were "legalistic and technical".
He said he acknowledges the declaration by the Holy See that it is "sorry and ashamed" for the terrible suffering of victims of child abuse in Ireland.
“The Government’s concern was never about the status of the church documents but rather about the welfare of children,” Mr Gilmore said.
Mr Gilmore said the sexual abuse of children is such a heinous and reprehensible crime that issues about the precise status of documents should not be allowed to obscure the obligation of people in positions of responsibility to deal promptly with such abuse and report it.
“In relation to the Framework Document, I remain of the view that the 1997 letter from the then nuncio provided a pretext for some to avoid full cooperation with the Irish civil authorities.
“The sexual abuse of children is such a heinous and reprehensible crime that issues about the precise status of documents should not be allowed to obscure the obligation of people in positions of responsibility to deal promptly with such abuse and report it.
“The sense of betrayal which was felt by Irish people about this matter, and which was clearly expressed by the Taoiseach, came about not only because of the nature of child abuse itself but also because of the unique position which the Catholic Church enjoyed in this country, manifested in many ways, over many decades.”
