UNIVERSITY CHURCH LECTURE. Anne Thompson, Michael Kelly and Ines San Martin taking questions
Photo: John Mc Elroy. Claire Fitzpatrick
A prominent Catholic journalist praised Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland last year and how he dealt with the sex abuse scandals.
There was sharp criticism of some aspects of the Pope’s visit when it came to abuse, including the fact that organisers cast doubt on whether or not he would meet with survivors. Days before the trip, Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin provoked controversy with advocacy groups when he said he was uncertain if Francis would have such a meeting.
In the end, the Pope met with survivors at the Apostolic Nunciature and addressed the issue by reading from a handwritten note during the Mass in the Phoenix Park.
Prompted by questions raised by The Irish Catholic Editor Michael Kelly, moderating a panel hosted by The Notre Dame Newman Centre for Faith and Reason, Argentinian journalist Ines San Martin of Crux gave a more positive portrait of the Pope’s approach. “The handwritten note might’ve been rushed,” she said, but Pope Francis’ address in the Phoenix Park was “beautiful”, as it “empathised with people suffering at the hands of the Catholic Church in Ireland”, not only sexual abuse victims but in other facets.
Controversies
Mr Kelly facilitated a lively discussion with San Martin and American journalist Anne Thompson of NBC. The reporters unpacked controversies that have engulfed the Church in recent years, particularly the abuse crisis and Pope Francis’ response, and how their faith and profession informed their considerations of such issues.
Ms Thompson provided an American angle on popular opinion of Pope Francis, stating that Vatican’s failure to give an immediate response following the grand jury report of Church sexual abuse in Pennsylvania caused his “image as a shepherd to be lost”.
This is not to say that all positive reception of the Pope or enthusiasm for the future of the Catholic Church is lost among recent controversies. Ms Thompson emphasised the importance of Laudato Si’ in making people pay attention and consider taking care of the planet as a “spiritual responsibility”.
Both Ms Thompson and Ms San Martin affirmed that being Catholic was a crucial part of their identity, and that their faith has honed their passion for journalism. Thompson asserted that balancing impartial reporting and a faith-led life is “not difficult at all”.
“My goal is to get as close to the truth as possible and the fact that I’m Catholic actually helps me,” she said.