Abp. Martin offers message to
abuse victims
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| Archbishop Eamon Martin. |
On the eve of the special meeting in the Vatican on the
protection of minors in the Catholic Church, Archbishop Eamon Martin, of Armagh
and President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, has offered a message
to survivors and victims of abuse asking for forgiveness and ensuring that
Church activities are as safe as possible for children and vulnerable people.
The text of Archbishop Eamon’s message follows:
Dear brothers and sisters, survivors of abuse,
As I prepare to journey to Rome for the meeting with Pope
Francis about safeguarding, I want to assure you that you are uppermost in my
thoughts. In recent weeks I have met with some of you and heard about how you
were hurt and violated, and about how your young lives were turned into a
nightmare by people who betrayed the sacred trust that you and your families
had placed in them.
I am truly sorry for what was done to you.
I’ve learned also about how abuse devastated your confidence
in yourself and others, your relationships, your family, and in some cases your
spiritual, emotional, mental and physical well-being. Abuse broke your heart
and spirit and sometimes you couldn’t tell anyone for years. And then - when
all you wanted was to be believed and supported by the Church, and your abuser
to be stopped from harming others - there were too many failures to listen, to
understand, and to do what was right and just.
I am truly sorry for these failures.
No wonder many of you find it difficult to forgive. You are
still shocked by every new revelation which reopens your wounds and makes you
feel the Church still hasn’t learned or fully understood.
Some of you have asked me for prayers, and for the Church to
openly express atonement and say “sorry”. You rightly demand complete
transparency and prompt cooperation with police and statutory authorities. You
expect us to maintain robust efforts and standards for the protection of
children, to continue to fully involve lay women and men in deciding and
overseeing best practice, to independently audit our progress so that we never
become complacent. You want our response to be child-centred and open to
justice and accountability. You appreciate the counselling and support services
offered by Towards Healing and others who have personally and pastorally
reached out to you.
As I journey to Rome I realise that you are precious members
of the Body of Christ; you always have been and always will be. You deserve to
be believed, loved and cherished - not isolated or seen as a threat. I know
that nothing I say can undo the terrible wrong you have endured, but I once
more commit to doing all I can to ensure that Church activities are as safe as
possible for children and vulnerable people. You will always remain in my
thoughts and prayers.
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