Text of the ‘Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to the Catholics of Ireland’ in English and Irish, including the Pope's special prayer,  extracts from Pastoral Letter, related Vatican video clips and FAQs.

Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland

1. DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE CHURCH IN IRELAND, it is with great concern that I write to you as Pastor of the universal Church. Like yourselves, I have been deeply disturbed by the information which has come to light regarding the abuse of children and vulnerable young people by members of the Church in Ireland, particularly by priests and religious. I can only share in the dismay and the sense of betrayal that so many of you have experienced on learning of these sinful and criminal acts and the way Church authorities in Ireland dealt with them ...

Download full text of the Pastoral Letter in pdf format ...

Tréadlitir an Phápa Rónaofa Beinidict XVI Chuig Caitlicigh na hÉireann

Download letter in Irish language translation ...

The Pope's Words

Extracts from the Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer for the Church in Ireland / Paidir ar son na hEaglaise in Éirinn

God of our fathers,
renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,
the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal,
the charity which purifies and opens our hearts
to love you, and in you, each of our brothers and sisters ...

New Vatican Internet Services

The publication of the 'Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland', which addresses the abuse of children by some clergy, is accompanied by the following two new Vatican internet services: The first is a new website: www.resources.va

The second is a series of six channels on Twitter, each in a different language. The English channel is named: news_va_en

Through these Twitter channels, Vatican Radio and other Vatican media outlets will inform users about the publication of news and multimedia content of particular relevance to the life of the Church.

There are published texts, video and audio referring to the Pope’s Letter to the Catholics of Ireland.

Cardinal Seán Brady welcomes the Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI

After Morning Mass on Saturday 20 March in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, Cardinal Brady welcomed the “Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland”. A video recording of the Cardinal's address, which was streamed live on www.catholicbishops.ie on the day, is now available to view here: