Welcome to the Diocese of Cloyne, Ireland.

Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Cloyne

To be read at all Masses on the weekend 13^th - 14^th April 2002

The sad events which have been highlighted in these past weeks have caused great pain and shame to the whole Church in Ireland. A sacred trust has been betrayed and innocent young people have been hurt and violated in a most heinous way by priests who were ordained to the ministers of Jesus Christ to them. The pain suffered by these young people continues to be with them and their families and this must be acknowledged. A healing process needs to be put in place whereby all who have suffered may be cared for and the assurance given that never again will such crimes be committed against innocent young lives.

The process of healing can only be effective when the full truth is told. We must not be afraid of the truth because only the truth can set us free. It is for this reason that the Bishops of Ireland, conscious of the need to establish the full truth about how complaints of child sexual abuse have been dealt with in dioceses, have decided that an independent audit be carried out. This will entail the examination of all files in diocesan offices which are relevant to finding the truth. This will be done by a completely independent body. I fully endorse this decision trusting that with honesty and openness we can effectively eradicate this cancer from the heart of the Church. It is our endeavour to ensure that every parent be assured that children will be safeguarded, protected and respected.

As I offer my personal and sincere apology to all victims of child sexual abuse and to their families I am also conscious of the many members of the Church who have been hurt and shocked by what has happened. To them all I offer my deep apology. May the light which will shine out from the truth begin to dispel the darkness through which we walk and may the Good News of Jesus Christ be our support.

The Holy Father, in his Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday, spoke about the grave scandal caused by those who have betrayed the grace of Ordination and he stated: "Grave scandal is caused, with the result that a dark shadow of suspicion is cast over all the other fine priests who perform their ministry with honesty and integrity and often with heroic self-sacrifice". My heart goes out to all of those priests in this diocese of Cloyne and I stand in solidarity with them assuring them of my brotherly support in prayer. I have written to each one of them.

I ask you, my dear people, to stand in solidarity with one another and with your priests and to pray earnestly that the Risen Christ may enlighten us so that wounds may be healed, trust and confidence may be restored and the truth may set us free. May all our Chapels of Adoration become places of intense prayer so that the healing process, that is so necessary, may bring new life and vigour into our local Church, which is the Risen Christ.

With my blessing and prayer,

+John Magee

Bishop of Cloyne