Irish bishops say they've learned lessons about child sexual abuse

Published: 2005-02-09

DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) -- In a Lenten pastoral letter, Irish bishops said they had learned many lessons about child sexual abuse in the last 10 years, including "about the measures that need to be taken to prevent further abuse by someone whose guilt has been established." "Unfortunately, one of the most overwhelming lessons that we have learned is how much we still need to learn," the bishops said in the letter, "Toward Hope." They also called on community members -- those with experience in "spiritual direction, counseling, educational skill, financial know-how, medical and psychiatric expertise, artistic talent" -- to consider offering their talents to help heal those who have suffered child abuse. "It would be a practical and realistic step toward healing if each diocese could call on a pool of people who would be willing to help someone along the road toward putting their life together and, perhaps, toward finding their way back to the church and to our loving God," the bishops said. "Both those who have been abused and those who walk with them along the road to healing are making a Lenten journey," said the 23-page letter, issued Feb. 8 at St. Patrick's College, the national seminary in Maynooth, near Dublin.

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