Vatican must release files on abuse - Murphy

» Michael McMonagle

The Vatican must release any and all files it holds that would help investigations and inquiries into abuse by priests and religious in Ireland and it must also commit itself to providing redress, including financial redress to victims of abuse north and south." - Conor Murphy

The visit to Ireland by Pope Francis this weekend is an opportunity to address the deep hurt caused by the abuses of the church and engage with victims and survivors, Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy has said. 

The Newry and Armagh MLA and former minister will be Sinn Féin's representative at a reception for the Pope at Dublin Castle on Saturday which will also be attended by An Taoiseach, ministers, the diplomatic corps and other representatives of civil society. 

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson will also attend the event and Sinn Féin will be represented at each of the public events in the Pope's itinerary. 

Protests will also be held to coincide with Pope Francis' visit and Sinn Féin representatives will attend the Stand for Truth solidarity vigil at Dublin's Garden of Remembrance on Sunday in support of victims and survivors on clerical sex abuse. 

Speaking to An Phoblacht ahead of the visit, Conor Murphy said that while Pope Francis' visit is a significant event which will be welcomed by many Catholics, it will be a difficult occasion for many, particularly those who have been affected by abuse at the hand of the church. 

"There is no doubt that this visit by Pope Francis' to Ireland is hugely significant. It is only the second visit by a Pope to Ireland and has generated huge interest, particularly in recent weeks and days. 

"Hundreds of thousands of people from right across the island are expected to travel to Dublin and Knock for the Papal events and countless more will be watching the events in the media. 

"While for many this will be an occasion of celebration, for a significant group in our society it will also be a very difficult and challenging time. 

"Many Irish people have suffered and have been deeply hurt by the abuses of the church over many decades, particularly the victims and survivors of child sex abuse and those who suffered in industrial schools, mother and baby homes and the Magdalene laundries. 

"Many of them will have a very different view of this visit and I am very conscious of their views and acknowledge how difficult it will be for them," he said. 

Conor Murphy said the Papal visit provides an opportunity for the Catholic church authorities to address the issue of abuse. 

"For decades the Catholic church sought to cover up the horrendous abuse and this only compounded the hurt and suffering of victims and survivors. 

"Hopefully this visit will provide an opportunity for that deep hurt to be acknowledged by the church hierarchy. But more than that, it is an opportunity to do something about it and that opportunity should be grasped. 

"While the letter from Pope Francis acknowledged that hurt and suffering, it needs to be followed with more than words; action is required," he said. 

The former minister said the Catholic church needs to cooperate with investigations into abuse and address the legacy of abuse by providing redress to victims. 

"This issue is not going away. While I acknowledge that the Pope will meet a number of victims and survivors of clerical abuse and it is important that he hears and listens to their stories, more is needed. The Vatican must release any and all files it holds that would help investigations and inquiries into abuse by priests and religious in Ireland and it must also commit itself to providing redress, including financial redress to victims of abuse north and south," he said.