Irish PM urges action on abuse, Pope admits ‘ shame and pain’

Dublin, Aug. 25: Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Saturday urged Pope Francis to take action to ensure justice for abuse victims worldwide as the pontiff said he shared in the “pain and shame” during a historic visit to Ireland.

Varadkar, an openly gay leader, demanded from Pope Francis “that from words flow actions” for abuse victims in a stronglyworded speech.

Speaking to an audience in Dublin Castle alongside the Pope, Varadkar said Ireland’s multiple historic scandals were “stains on our state, our society and also the Church.”

“Far too often there was judgement, severity and cruelty... People kept in dark corners, behind closed doors, cries for help that went unheard,” he added.

“There is much to be done to bring about justice and truth and healing for victims and survivors. Holy Father, I ask that you use your office and influence to ensure that this is done here in Ireland and across the world.” Pope Francis responded, saying that the failure of the Church authorities “to address these repellent crimes has rightly given rise to outrage, and remains a source of pain and shame for the Catholic community”. “I myself share those sentiments,” he added hours after he became the first Pope to set foot in the former bastion of Catholicism since Pope John Paul II spoke to a crowd of 1.5 million people during his visit in 1979.

Catholics and firebrand protestors rubbed shoulders on the streets of Dublin as Pope Francis visited the city, stoking fresh debate on the Church and its role in covering up decades of abuse in Ireland. Rosa Lopez, 45, was holding a banner covered in provocative antiPope and anti- Catholic slogans. “Solidarity With Survivors” and “Pope Not Welcome”, it read. Accusations of wide- ranging abuse in Catholic institutions in Ireland, including but not limited to the sexual targeting of children by priests, date back several decades.

Irish scandals including clerical abuse are stains on our state, our society, and also the Catholic Church… — Leo Varadkar Irish PM The failure of ecclesiastical authorities... To address these repellent crimes remains a source of pain and shame for the Catholic community — Pope Francis