Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley of Boston and Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York to a team of prelates that will investigate Irish dioceses and seminaries in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal in that country. Cardinal O'Malley will investigate the Archdiocese of Dublin, and Archbishop Dolan will investigate Irish seminaries, including the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, according to a story in the New York Times.
From the Times:
"In its announcement, the Vatican said the investigation, called an Apostolic Visitation, would begin this fall with the examination of four dioceses: Dublin, Armagh, Cashel and Emly, and Tuam, as well as seminaries and religious orders. It will then be extended to other dioceses.The team will also include Archbishop Thomas Christopher Collins of Toronto and Archbishop Terrence Thomas Prendergast of Ottawa."For the visitation, the pope appointed some leading Anglophone bishops. He appointed Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, a former archbishop of Westminster, to investigate the Archdiocese of Armagh, which is the seat of the All- primate Cardinal .
"Cardinal Brady said last month that he would remain in his position, despite calls for his resignation, because of his involvement in secret meetings with abuse victims in a notorious case in 1975."
In a statement regarding the visitation, the Vatican said:
"Through this visitation, the Holy See intends to offer assistance to the bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful as they seek to respond adequately to the situation caused by the tragic cases of abuse perpetrated by priests and religious upon minors. It is also intended to contribute to the desired spiritual and moral renewal that is already being vigorously pursued by the Church in Ireland."
