BishopAccountability.org
 
  Bishop Meets Pope

Derry Journal
February 16, 2010

http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Bishop-meets-Pope.6073996.jp

VATICAN CITY -- Bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty is expected to arrive back in the city tomorrow after meeting Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.

Dr Hegarty was among the Irish Catholic hierarchy summoned to the Vatican to discuss the clerical sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the church to its foundations.

The summit was opened yesterday by All-Ireland Primate Cardinal Sean Brady. The 24 bishops went one by one to the pontiff and kissed his hand in a sign of fraternal respect in the first of two sessions.

St Eugene's Cathedral Administrator, Fr Michael Canny, said Dr Hegarty would be flying back to Ireland tomorrow.

Four bishops criticised for failing to address concerns about abuse have already resigned.

Last year the Murphy Commission laid bare a culture of concealment where church leaders prioritised the protection of the church above that of vulnerable children in their care.

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.