Cardinal Sean O’Malley has backed out of a key speaking engagement in Dublin at the World Meeting of Families so that he might devote his time and attention to the unfolding scandal at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.
The World Meeting of Families Conference is taking place in Dublin 21st - 26th August. The Pope is to attend the closing stages of the Conference.
Cardinal O’Malley is chairman of Pope Francis’ Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Children. He was expected to chair a panel discussion at the World Meeting of Families Conference titled 'Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults.' The panel includes Dublin abuse survivor Marie Collins, who resigned from the Commission for the Protection of Minors last year in protest at the frustration of its work by Vatican officials.
However, Cardinal O’Malley has had to cancel his trip. In a communique issued this past week the Archdiocese of Boston stated that O’Malley would not be able to fulfil his previous commitment in Ireland as: “important matters pertaining to the pastoral care of St John’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of Boston and the seminarians enrolled in the formation program there require the Cardinal’s personal attention and presence.”
This double-speak from the Archdiocese of Boston is a euphemism for allegations of rape and molestation regarding more than 1,000 children, by 300 priests, across seven decades, which have come to light in Pennsylvania, the Cardinal's own backyard.
You can be sure that the media in Northern Ireland won't be highlighting these issues when the Pope visits the Republic this week.
For further information click on these links:
The Irish Times - Vatican child protection chair Cardinal O’Malley cancels attendance WMoF
Catholic Herald - Cardinal O’Malley withdraws from World Meeting of Families
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