Sept. 5, 2011
The Irish Times
The Tánaiste today accused the Vatican of missing the point after it rejected claims it had frustrated a State inquiry into clerical abuse.
Speaking while attending a Labour parliamentary party meeting in Co Carlow, Eamon Gilmore said the real issue was the Catholic Church did not deal effectively with paedophile priests.
Amid calls for Taoiseach Enda Kenny to explain why he accused the Vatican of interfering with investigations as recently as three years ago, Mr Gilmore refused to back down. “I think it probably misses the point,” he said.
“There was the most horrific sexual abuse of children perpetrated by clerics. The Catholic Church did not deal with that as it should have dealt with it. Let’s not be distracted. Let’s not miss the point - no less charges were made. The Taoiseach and the Government stand over what was said,” the Minister for Foreign Affairs said.
The Government is to discuss the Vatican’s weekend response to the Cloyne report at its Cabinet meeting this week, although there was no indication yesterday it was backing down on its criticism of the Holy See. A spokesman said last night it intended taking time to consider the Vatican document and to compile a detailed response.
In a 25-page response to findings of the Cloyne report, the Vatican rejected accusations of interference with the Cloyne inquiry or when it came to the implementation of child protection guidelines in the State.
See full story at The Irish Times
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