Pope ‘didn’t do enough about abuse’ during visit
Francis MOST Irish people believe Pope Francis did not do enough to address clerical abuse during his recent visit, researchers have said.
The pontiff made his first papal trip here in August and his public statements on wrongdoing helped define the visit.
But a study from Queen’s University Belfast said only 30% of Irish people believed he did enough, although half of practising Catholics concurred.
Dr Gladys Ganiel said: “Even a pope as popular as Francis cannot distract from the widespread dismay about the way that the Church has handled clerical sexual abuse.
“At the same time, this survey shows clear evidence that Francis’ pontificate has had a positive impact on a significant minority of people’s perceptions of the Catholic Church, both since his visit to Ireland and since he became pope in 2013.”
She added indifference was the main reason why attendance at some of the events, including the farewell Mass at Phoenix Park in Dublin, was lower than expected.
Dr Ganiel said: “For all the respondents except practising Catholics, indifference seems to have trumped anger about abuse as a reason for not attending – although abuse is still the next most significant factor.” With Kenzi Nolan With Kelli Nolan Paul Scholes during Q&A in Wicklow on Sunday With Man United Soccer star poses with kitchen staff Scholes with fan