Irish cardinal apologizes as pope promises to address abuse scandal
Top news: Cardinal Sean Brady, the head of Ireland's Catholic Church apologized in his St. Patrick's Day sermon today for the role he played in covering up the sexual abuse of children by a priest during the 1970s. On Tuesday, the Irish Catholic Church released details showing that Brady was present at a meeting in 1975 in which two victims, aged 10 and 14, were asked to sign vows of silence over allegations of abuse against Fr. Brendan Smyth, who, two decades later, was convicted of dozens of offences against children.
"I also apologise to all those who feel I have let them down," Brady said. "Looking back I am ashamed that I have not always upheld the values that I profess and believe in."
Pope Benedict XVI promised today to address the ongoing scandal in a letter to Irish catholics later this week. Benedict acknowledged that the Church has been "severely shaken" by the allegations and hoped his letter would help in the healing process. Irish government investigations have brought to light cases of abuse involving more than 15,000 children since the 1930s.
Benedict did not refer in his statement to the abuse cases in other European countries, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the allegations in her country for the first time today, saying that "the only way for our society to come to terms with it is to look for the truth and find out everything that has happened."
For background on the unfolding scandal, read FP's roundup of the latest allegations.
Mideast policy: U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated U.S. support for Israel amid concerns of a rift between the two countries. Clinton will keynote a conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee next week.
"I also apologise to all those who feel I have let them down," Brady said. "Looking back I am ashamed that I have not always upheld the values that I profess and believe in."
Pope Benedict XVI promised today to address the ongoing scandal in a letter to Irish catholics later this week. Benedict acknowledged that the Church has been "severely shaken" by the allegations and hoped his letter would help in the healing process. Irish government investigations have brought to light cases of abuse involving more than 15,000 children since the 1930s.
Benedict did not refer in his statement to the abuse cases in other European countries, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the allegations in her country for the first time today, saying that "the only way for our society to come to terms with it is to look for the truth and find out everything that has happened."
For background on the unfolding scandal, read FP's roundup of the latest allegations.
Mideast policy: U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated U.S. support for Israel amid concerns of a rift between the two countries. Clinton will keynote a conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee next week.
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-By Joshua Keating |
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