Pope Francis

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World Meeting of Families in Dublin 2018

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-wmof-pastoral-congress-day-two.html#play

Second day of WMOF in Dublin: 28 keynote and breakout sessions
24 August 2018, 17:16

Day two of the WMOF included 28 keynote and breakouts and a message of hope that “The family has a future and is the salvation of humanity”.
By Francesca Merlo

The second day of the Pastoral Congress of the WMOF in Dublin, Ireland, included 28 keynote and breakout sessions, as well as a message of hope to the world: “The family has a future and is the salvation of humanity”.

Some of the morning panels tackled broad topics such as human trafficking, the role of grandparents in family and supporting newly married couples in the parish.

Theology and Tenderness

The morning session came to an end with two presentations. The first, lead by Cardinal Maradiaga, was entitled “Pope Francis on the revolution of tenderness”. The second was a workshop led by Rocco Buttiglione, from the Communion and Liberation Movement, entitled “A hidden treasure: the Theology of the Body of Saint John Paul II”.

The second session of the morning began with a panel on the “Dignity and Beauty of Sexual Love”, moderated by Cardinal Blasé Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago and involved a guest speaker from Colombia, José de Jesùs Magana.

Prior to the celebration of Holy Mass, couples who are celebrating 25, 50 and 60 years of marriage. discussed love and fidelity in the midst of difficulties.
 

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World Meeting of Families in Dublin 2018

350 couples await Pope Francis’ visit to St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral
24 August 2018, 16:33

St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin
Pope Francis awaits a meeting he specifically requested with engaged and newly married couples, and 350 Irish couples await his visit.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

The first pastoral portion of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families will occur on Saturday afternoon when he visits Dublin's St Mary's Pro-Cathedral. There he will meet with 350 engaged and newly married couples.

Fr Kieran Mc Dermott, the newly-appointed administrator of Dublin’s St Mary's Pro Cathedral spoke with Vatican News about what will happen during this event and about the importance of St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral for the people of Ireland.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/wmf-ireland/2018/08/23/rival-family-conference-says-homosexual-agenda-a-threat-to-church/

Rival family conference says homosexual agenda a threat to Church
Elise Harris   Aug 23, 2018

DUBLIN - Organizers of a rival event to this week’s World Meeting of Families in Dublin have taken issue with what they charge is a “watered-down” version of Church teaching on offer at the Vatican-sponsored summit that endorses homosexuality, adding that bishops have been too “sheepish” about speaking out.

“The Church has become, and when I say ‘the Church’ I mean bishops, has become almost embarrassed to preach the Gospel and to preach the Christian message on family and marriage,” Anthony Murphy, founder and editor of the “Catholic Voice” newspaper and founder of the “Lumen Fidei Institute,” told Crux in an interview.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said. “These men, or are they mice, encounter a world, certainly the western world, which is turning against God’s plan for family and marriage, and instead of countering that with an authenticity, they water down the truth and they give a message which is politically correct.”

“It’s this kind of secularization of the bishops’ conferences which I think is the greatest enemy of the Church,” Murphy said.

The Church he said, needs “fearless prophetic voices.” However, “the bishops have almost become the sheep, and they are moving along together like sheep. None of them dare says what they think for fear of being chastised by a brother bishop.”
 

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APOSTOLIC JOURNEY of His Holiness Pope Francis to Ireland on the occasion of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin

https://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/Pope-Francis/Papal-Itinerary

Papal Itinerary

APOSTOLIC JOURNEY of His Holiness Pope Francis to Ireland on the occasion of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin
25-26 AUGUST 2018

Saturday 25 August 2018

ROMA-DUBLIN
 08:15    Departure by plane from Rome/Fiumicino for Dublin   
 10:30    Arrival at Dublin International Airport   
OFFICIAL WELCOME   
 10:45    Transfer to Áras an Uachtaráin   
 11:15    Arrival at the Presidential Residence   
WELCOME CEREMONY in front of the main entrance of the Residence   
 11:30    COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT in the Presidential Residence   
 12:00    Transfer to Dublin Castle   
 12:10    Arrival at Dublin Castle   
MEETING WITH AUTHORITIES, CIVIL SOCIETY AND DIPLOMATIC CORPS in Dublin Castle - Speech of the Holy Father
 15:30    Arrival at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral   
VISIT to the CATHEDRAL - Greeting of the Holy Father

16:15    Transfer to the Day Centre of the Capuchin Fathers

16:30    PRIVATE VISIT to the DAY CENTRE FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES of the CAPUCHIN FATHERS   
 19:30    Arrival at Croke Park Stadium   
 19:45    FESTIVAL OF FAMILIES in Croke Park Stadium - Speech of the Holy Father
 

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-pope-arrives-welcome-ceremony.html#play

Pope Francis arriving in Ireland with Official Welcome Ceremony
25 August 2018, 15:04

Pope Francis arrived in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday morning around 10:30 local time beginning his 24th Apostolic Journey in which he will participate in the World Meeting of Families.
 
He was welcomed by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, the Tánaiste, or deputy head of Ireland’s government, Simon Coveney, Cardinal Farrell of the Diacastery of Laity, Family and Life who has organized the World Meeting of Families, the President of the Irish Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Eamon Martin, the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, and other members of the hierarchy in Ireland.

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-pope-courtesy-visit-president.html#play

Pope Francis pays a courtesy visit to Ireland's President
25 August 2018, 15:08

Pope Francis pays a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Ireland, Mr Michael Higgins, at Áras an Uachtaráin.
 
He signed a book of honor and met in private with the President.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-pope-francis-book-honour.html
First Message to the People of Ireland
25 August 2018, 11:56

Pope Francis inscribes a message to the people of Ireland in the book of honour  (Vatican Media)
 
In a brief ceremony, the Holy Father penned a brief message, to the Irish people in the book of honour:

 "With gratitude for the warm welcome I have received , I assure you and the people of Ireland of my prayer that the Almighty God may guide and protect you all."
 

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Photo gallery at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-authorities-civil-society-diplomats.html

Pope urges for a global family of nations based on unity, solidarity where the weak are protected
25 August 2018, 14:00

Pope Francis addressing authorities, members of the civil society and authorities at Dublin Castle, Ireland, August 25, 2018.  (AFP)
On a visit to Dublin, Ireland, on the occasion of the World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis on Saturday addressed authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Saturday called on the international community to create a global family of nations and peoples with a sense of unity and solidarity, especially with the weakest of our brothers and sisters. While calling for the protection of the vulnerable, he also denounced the “grave scandal” of clerical sexual abuse of young people by members of the Church in Ireland as “repellent crimes”.   

The Pope’s call came in his address to Irish authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps at Dublin Castle, part of his 2-day visit to Dublin, Saturday and Sunday, on the occasion of the World Meeting of Families which is taking place in the Irish capital, August 21-26.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/popes-address-to-irish-authorities-diplomatic-corps/
Pope’s Address to Irish Authorities, Diplomatic Corps 
August 25, 2018 14:32

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xUEwZWOOS4

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-couples-st-marys-pro-cathedral.html#play

Pope meets with engaged and newly married couples
25 August 2018, 15:31

The first pastoral portion of Pope Francis' 24th Apostolic Journey happened on Saturday afternoon with a visit to Dublin's St Mary's Pro-Cathedral where he met with about 400 engaged and newly married couples.

Pope Francis met with about 400 engaged and newly married couples from all of Irelands 26 dioceses.

He spent some quiet moments in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament where a candle has been lit since 2010 in memory of all the victims of institutional and clerical abuse in the Church.

He then listened to the greeting of a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary of marriage, and received 2 questions – one each from an engaged couple and a newly married couple.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-wmof-saint-marys-pro-cathedral.html
Pope in Ireland: Our world needs a revolution of love
25 August 2018, 18:45

Pope Francis greets a couple at Saint Mary's Pro-Cathedral  (ANSA)

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-capuchin-day-centre-pope-homeless.html#play

Pope Francis visits homeless families at the Capuchin Day Centre
25 August 2018, 23:02

Pope Francis visits the Capuchin Day Centre in the heart of the city of Dublin where he met with the Capuchin Fathers, employees, volunteers and homeless persons.

Greeting the Pope on his arrival on Saturday was Capuchin Friar, Brother Kevin Crowley, founder of the Day Centre, and his team.

Br Kevin has seen Ireland during the most difficult of times including recession in the 1980’s and most recently the financial crisis that hit the country.

Present also in the cafeteria with Fr Kevin were the other Cappuchin priests who work with him as well as employees and volunteers, and about 100 people who receive their services
 

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/pope-meets-survivors-of-abuse-in-ireland.cfm

Pope meets survivors of abuse in Ireland
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
8.25.2018 3:12 PM ET

CNS photo/Clodagh Kilcoyne, Reuters
Children's shoes and toys are seen on a sidewalk in Dublin Aug. 25 as part of a demonstration against clerical sex abuse in Dublin. Pope Francis met privately for an hour and half with eight Irish survivors of clerical, religious and institutional abuse. (CNS photo/Clodagh Kilcoyne, Reuters)

DUBLIN (CNS) -- Pope Francis spent 90 minutes meeting privately with eight survivors of sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy or in Catholic-run schools and institutions.

The meeting took place at the Vatican nunciature in Dublin Aug. 25, the first day of Pope Francis' two-day visit to Ireland, the Vatican press office announced.

Afterward, two of the survivors published a statement describing the meeting. They said, "Pope Francis condemned corruption and cover-up within the church as 'caca' -- literally filth as one sees in a toilet, his translator clarified."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-festival-families.html

Pope in Ireland: Families can help God’s dream come true
25 August 2018, 23:01

Pope Francis listens to a family giving a testimony during the Festival of Families  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis participates in the Festival of Families celebration in Dublin’s Croke Park Stadium on Saturday evening, and tells families they are “the hope of the Church and of the world”. (With photo gallery)
By Seàn-Patrick Lovett

Months of preparation went into creating the event considered one of the highlights of the World Meeting of Families 2018: the Festival of Families that was celebrated in Dublin’s Croke Park Stadium on Saturday evening together with some 70,000 people. Even the stage design reflected an ideal “circle of encounter” where families could sit close to Pope Francis while sharing their testimonies and enjoying the performances.

Talent and testimony

The talent was provided by some of Ireland’s best performers and musicians: a 1,000-voice choir, a 50-piece orchestra, and over 700 dancers from the best Irish dance schools across the country, as well as international artists like The Riverdance Troupe, American jazz singer, Dana Masters, and Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli.

The testimony came from five families representing Ireland, Canada, India, Iraq, and Africa. All shared a common theme of how their families had provided them with hope, love and support during the most challenging moments of their lives. Their testimonies focused on themes of forgiveness and hope in the family, the importance of grandparents, and even the role of social media and technology in family life.

A good cup of tea

When the Pope addressed the gathering, he described it as “a family celebration of thanksgiving to God for who we are: one family in Christ, spread throughout the world”. Pope Francis’ speech was filled with references to his Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, on the joy of love.
 

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjLC4PKp_Oc

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APOSTOLIC JOURNEY of His Holiness Pope Francis to Ireland on the occasion of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin

https://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/Pope-Francis/Papal-Itinerary

Papal Itinerary
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY of His Holiness Pope Francis to Ireland on the occasion of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin
25-26 AUGUST 2018
 
Sunday 26 August 2018

DUBLIN-KNOCK-DUBLIN-ROMA
 08:40    Departure by plane for Knock   
 09:20    Arrival at the Airport in Knock
 Immediate transfer to the Shrine   
 09:45    Arrival at Knock Shrine   
VISIT to the CHAPEL of Knock Shrine   
ANGELUS on the square in front of the Shrine    Angelus of the Holy Father
 10:45    Transfer to the airport in Knock   
 11:10    Arrival at the airport in Knock   
 11:15    Departure by plane for Dublin   
 11:50    Arrival at Dublin International Airport   
Lunch with the Papal Delegation   
 14:30    Arrival at Phoenix Park   
 15:00    HOLY MASS in Phoenix Park   -  Homily of the Holy Father
MEETING WITH THE BISHOPS in the Convent of the Dominican Sisters -  Speech of the Holy Father
 18:30    Arrival at Dublin International Airport   
FAREWELL CEREMONY   
 18:45    Departure by plane for Roma/Ciampino   
 23:00    Arrival at the Airport of Roma/Ciampino   
 

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Video and Photo Gallery at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-pope-knock-shrine.html#play

Pope Francis' visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock
26 August 2018, 13:41

Pope Francis traveled by air to Knock for his only stop outside of Dublin on his 24th Apostolic Journey. We bring you the video, an audio report as well as a photo gallery on the Knock event.
By Lydia O’Kane

Pope Francis wrapped up in his long white coat touched down at Knock airport on Sunday morning descending the steps of an Aer Lingus plane called St Aidan. In fact, all the national carrier’s aircrafts are given the names of Irish Saints.

He was greeted by hundreds of school children waving Vatican flags and smiling broadly as he patted them on the head.

At the shrine itself people had gathered from early morning with many wearing plastic ponchos in an attempt to shield them from the ever present showers. Many here had been praying for good weather to make up for the rain that had poured down during the visit of St John Paul II nearly 40 years ago.

The power of the Rosary

After greeting the crowds gathered outside, the Pope entered this Marian Shrine and prayed in front of the Chapel of the Apparition, for all the families of the world, then in a touching gesture, he presented the shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Knock, with a golden rosary in acknowledgment of the tradition of the family rosary in Ireland.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/popes-angelus-in-knock-ireland/
Pope’s Angelus in Knock, Ireland 
August 26, 2018 13:17

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope.html

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-pope-francis-prays-forgiveness-abuses.html
Pope in Ireland asks forgiveness for a litany of abuses
26 August 2018, 16:53

Pope celebrates Mass at Phoenix Park in Dublin  (ANSA)
In an unprecedented gesture during the closing Mass for the World Meeting of Families in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, Pope Francis asks pardon for a litany of abuses committed by the Church against men, women, and children in Ireland.
By Vatican News

The Pope’s gesture was both unprecedented and unexpected. It came during the Penitential Rite, the moment within Mass when the celebrant and faithful acknowledge their sins, repent, and ask for mercy and forgiveness.

Speaking in Spanish, Pope Francis asked pardon for a list of abuses committed by the Church in Ireland. He began by referencing his meeting on Saturday evening with eight abuse survivors and, on the basis of what they told him, said he wanted to “place before the mercy of the Lord these crimes, and ask forgiveness for them."

The Pope’s prayer was translated simultaneously by his interpreter, Msgr. Mark Miles.

Below please find a transcript of that translation.

Yesterday, I met with eight survivors who have suffered abuse of power, conscience, and also sexual abuse. Taking up on what they said to me, I want to place before the mercy of the Lord these crimes, and ask forgiveness for them.

We ask forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland, abuses of power, conscience, and sexual abuse perpetrated by members with roles of responsibility in the Church. In a special way we ask pardon for all the abuses committed in various types of institutions run by male or female religious and by other members of the Church, and we ask forgiveness for those cases of exploitation through manual work that so many women and men were subjected to. We ask forgiveness.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-wmof-mass-dublin-phoenix-park.html
Pope in Ireland: Share Gospel of family as joy for the world
26 August 2018, 15:41

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-cardinal-farrell-next-wmof-2021.html
Next World Meeting of Families to be held in Rome in 2021
26 August 2018, 17:19

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-pope-francis-bishops-meeting.html

Pope meets Ireland’s bishops
26 August 2018, 17:10

Pope Francis meeting Ireland's bishops at the Dominican Sisters' Convent in Dublin, August 26, 2018.   (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis urged the bishops of Ireland to “discern and set out on new paths for these new times” in the Church’s concern for the poor, the victims of abuse and in handing down the faith.
By Robin Gomes

Before flying back to Rome from the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, in Ireland, Pope Francis met members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ICBC) in the Convent of the Dominican Sisters.

Concern for poor

By way of his parting words the Pope encouraged the bishops’ in their efforts, in these challenging times, to persevere in their ministry as heralds of the Gospel and shepherds of Christ’s flock.  He thanked them for their concern for the poor, the excluded and the needy as evident in their recently pastoral letter on the homeless and on substance abuse.  He also thanked them for the support they give their priests whose hurt and discouragement in the face of recent scandals is often ignored or underestimated

Protecting the vulnerable

The Holy Father then focused his attention on the “Church’s need to acknowledge and remedy, with evangelical honesty and courage, past failures with regard to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.”
 
https://zenit.org/articles/pope-to-irish-bishops-in-the-dark-night-the-light-of-faith-shines-purest-which-will-renew-church-in-ireland-in-years-ahead/
Pope to Irish Bishops: In the Dark Night, the Light of Faith Shines Purest, Which Will Renew Church in Ireland in Years Ahead 
August 26, 2018 19:56

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Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-farewell-ceremony-airport.html

Ireland bids farewell to Pope Francis
26 August 2018, 20:56

Ireland bid farewell to Pope Francis in a farewell ceremony at Dublin's international airport.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/apostolic-journey-ireland-farewell-telegram-president.html
Pope Francis' farewell telegram to Ireland's President
26 August 2018, 20:39

Pope Francis greeting Ireland farewell  (AFP or licensors)
 
HIS EXCELLENCY MICHAEL D. HIGGINS
 PRESIDENT OF IRELAND
 DUBLIN

AS I LEAVE IRELAND, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO YOUR EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BELOVED PEOPLE OF IRELAND FOR THE WARM WELCOME AND HOSPITALITY I HAVE RECEIVED. WITH THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS, I INVOKE UPON ALL OF YOU ALMIGHTY GOD’S BLESSINGS OF PEACE, FRATERNITY and PROSPERITY.

FRANCISCUS PP.

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http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/ex-nuncio-accuses-pope-francis-of-failing-to-act-on-mccarricks-abuse

Aug. 25, 2018
Ex-Nuncio Accuses Pope Francis of Failing to Act on McCarrick’s Abuse

In a written testimony, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò claims Pope Francis withdrew sanctions against Archbishop Theodore McCarrick.
Edward Pentin

In an extraordinary 11-page written testament, a former apostolic nuncio to the United States has accused several senior prelates of complicity in covering up Archbishop Theodore McCarrick’s allegations of sexual abuse, and has claimed that Pope Francis knew about sanctions imposed on then-Cardinal McCarrick by Pope Benedict XVI but chose to repeal them.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, 77, who served as apostolic nuncio in Washington D.C. from 2011 to 2016, said that in the late 2000s, Benedict had “imposed on Cardinal McCarrick sanctions similar to those now imposed on him by Pope Francis” and that Viganò personally told Pope Francis about those sanctions in 2013.

Archbishop Viganò said in his written statement, simultaneously released to the Register and other media, (see full text below) that Pope Francis “continued to cover” for McCarrick and not only did he “not take into account the sanctions that Pope Benedict had imposed on him” but also made McCarrick “his trusted counselor.”  Viganò said that the former archbishop of Washington advised the Pope to appoint a number of bishops in the United States, including Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago and Joseph Tobin of Newark.
 
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/former-us-nuncio-pope-francis-knew-of-mccarricks-misdeeds-repealed-sanction
Sat Aug 25, 2018 - 7:01 pm EST
Pope Francis covered up McCarrick abuse, former US nuncio testifies (OFFICIAL TEXT)
Diane Montagna

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/08/26/ex-papal-envoy-to-us-calls-on-pope-to-resign-saying-he-knew-about-mccarrick/
Ex-papal envoy to US calls on Pope to resign, saying he knew about McCarrick
Crux Staff   Aug 26, 2018

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https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/9652/pope-francis-dismisses-vigano-allegations

26 August 2018 | by Christopher Lamb   
Pope Francis dismisses Vigano allegations

'I will not say a single word on this,' Pope Francis told reporters on board the papal plane from Dublin to Rome

Pope Francis has dismissed claims from a former Vatican ambassador that he was made aware of sexual misconduct allegations against Archbishop Theodore McCarrick.

Francis urged members of the media to make a judgment about an explosive document released by Archbishop Carlo Vigano but that he will not respond to what it alleges.

“I will not say a single word on this,” he told reporters on board the papal plane from Dublin to Rome. “I believe the statement speaks for itself. And you have the journalistic capacity to draw your own conclusions.”

During an in-flight press conference lasting 44 minutes, the Pope said he had read Archbishop Vigano's 11-page testimony on Sunday morning, adding “I must tell you sincerely that, I must say this, to you and all those who are interested, read the statement carefully and make your own judgment.”

Francis then added to the journalist who asked the question on the flight: “I await your comment on the document, I would like that.”

His decision not to engage with the contents of Archbishop Vigano’s document, in which he takes the highly unusual step of calling on the Pope to resign, is in keeping with Francis’s response to criticism from high-profile clerics inside the Church. He has repeatedly refused to respond to four cardinals who publicly released a list of queries, known as “dubia,” about his family life document “Amoris Laetitia”.
 

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https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/9650/abuse-survivors-voice-frustration-over-meeting-with-pope

26 August 2018 | by Sarah Mac Donald   
Abuse survivors voice frustration over meeting with Pope

Marie Collins will this afternoon participate in the #StandforTruth rally organised by clerical abuse survivor Colm O’Gorman

Irish clerical abuse survivor, Marie Collins, expressed frustration on Sunday over her meeting with Pope Francis in Dublin along with seven other survivors.

Speaking to the Tablet, she said that she had got “disappointing answers” to the questions she put to the Pontiff at the papal nunciature on Saturday afternoon.

Collins, who was abused by a Dublin priest when she was 13, said she had spoken to the Pope about the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

She resigned from the PCPM in March 2017 over the curial resistance to the proposals for reform the commission had drawn up, notably its call for an accountability tribunal for those in church leadership who cover up abuse.

The Pope told Collins that he was happy with the PCPM now that it is fully integrated into the Curia and he said he felt this was a positive development.

“That was hugely disappointing because I thought the whole point of the commission was to be independent. But he seemed to think that now that it was incorporated fully into the curia it would do good work. Originally, the commission was intended to work independently and answer directly to him.”

“To hear this – well, I just despair really.”

Another issue she found the Pope’s response disappointing was the matter of the accountability tribunal which she quizzed him about.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-francis-i-found-so-much-faith-in-ireland.html#.W4M7gpT_6H8.twitter

Pope Francis: I found so much faith in Ireland!
27 August 2018, 01:00

Pope Francis speaks with reporters  (ANSA)
Pope Francis shares his thoughts about his Apostolic Journey as he speaks with reporters during the flight back to Rome on Sunday evening.
By Vatican News

“I have found so much faith in Ireland,” Pope Francis said at the end of his two-day visit to the land of Saints and Scholars. “The Irish have suffered so much from the scandals, but they know how to distinguish the truth from half-truths,” he said, reciting the words spoken to him by an unnamed Bishop a few hours earlier. And even if the healing process is ongoing, the faith of the Irish people remains solid.

Although the Pope had gone to Ireland to celebrate the World Meeting of Families, the subject of abuse cast a pallor over his visit. In particular, reporters were waiting to hear Pope Francis response to allegations made by a former Apostolic Nuncio (papal ambassador) to the United States. In a document published overnight Saturday, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò questioned the Holy Father’s response to accusations against Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, forced to resign his cardinalate over “credible” and “substantiated” allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. Further accusations against McCarrick have subsequently been made known.

Pope Francis was spoke bluntly about Archbishop Viganò’s charges: “I say this sincerely: Read it attentively and make your own judgment. I will not say a word about this. I believe the document speaks for itself.”

Judging Bishops case by case

Instead, the Pope spoke on a number of other delicate and complex topics, including how to try a Bishop accused of abuse. Gently rejecting the wish of Marie Collins – a former member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors – the Pope said that a standing court such as the one called for in the motu proprio“Come una madre amorevole” is not the best option. Rather, Bishops might be tried by an ad hoc tribunal on a case by case basis. “It functions better that way,” the Pope affirmed, noting the trial of the Archbishop of Guam had been handled in this manner. He also indicated another trial was proceeding along the same lines.