Archbishop Eamon Martin with Clar and Jarlath Doherty at the Festival for World Meeting of Families The Primate of All Ireland has said that “decisive action” against clerical abuse will be proof of whether the Pope’s visit to Ireland has been a success or not.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme on August 27, Archbishop Eamon Martin said that Francis has taken lead in addressing the clerical abuse crisis, referencing a specific line he said during the Mass in the Phoenix Park: “I ask God’s mercy and forgiveness”.
Responsibility
The archbishop said: “I have never before heard a Pope accept a personal responsibility in some ways for all of the terrible trauma and hurt for the terrible crimes and sins of abuse.”
He added that the success of the Pontiff’s visit to Ireland will be evaluated on “whether or not we have strong accountability in the Church, the truth coming out, justice and healing for those who have been hurt, and as the Pope said himself in Knock, decisive action”.