Today the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church published Reviews of Safeguarding Practice for the Dioceses of Ardagh & Clonmacnois, Derry, Dromore, Kilmore, Raphoe and Tuam.

The Vatican response to the Irish government is detailed and comprehensive. It is serious, sober in tone and it addresses broader questions of Church policy on child safeguarding.

“I ask people to read the document for themselves and to evaluate it objectively. I believe it will contribute to the healing of those who have been hurt and also to a closer working together of all concerned with the safeguarding of children.”

This morning, 3 September 2011, Monsignor Ettore Balestrero, Under-Secretary for Relations with States, met with Ms. Helena Keleher, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See, and consigned to her the Holy See’s Response to the Irish Government.

It is also distressing, he said, that the faith of many people has been further damaged by what has been revealed in these reports.

“It is particularly heartening that it was the work of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church that drew public attention to practices that were of concern.”

“This Report reminds us again of the need to remain vigilant and self critical to ensure that there can be no recurrence of these past disgraceful failings.”

Cardinal Brady: “Today’s Report highlights again the necessity for continuing vigilance and full cooperation with civil authorities”

Bishops respond to the publication of the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Diocese of Cloyne – 13 July 2011

“I humbly apologise on my own behalf as Administrator of the Diocese, and on behalf of its clergy, to all who suffered and their families.”