Catholic News Service has a report on an extraordinary decision by the Vatican to recall its nuncio to Ireland, summoning him to Rome for “consultations” on how Church officials responded to allegations of sex abuse by Irish clergy. Recent government reports have analyzed how the allegations were handled by members of the hierarchy in both Ireland and Rome, and singled out the nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, for particular criticism.
Passionist Father Ciro Benedettini, vice director of the Vatican press office, said recalling the nuncio “denotes the seriousness of the situation, the desire of the Holy See to face it with objectivity and determination, as well as a certain note of surprise and disappointment over some excessive reactions” to the report and its accusations against the Vatican. …
In announcing the recall of the nuncio, Father Benedettini said the Vatican Secretariat of State wanted to ensure its response to the Cloyne Report was serious and complete, and to do that it was necessary that “the person on the scene,” Archbishop Leanza, take part in drafting discussions along with officials from the congregations for the doctrine of the faith, religious, clergy and bishops.
He said the Vatican expects to forward its formal response to the Irish government before the end of August.
Read the full CNS report on this most recent move here. Read CWR’s report on the Irish government’s response to reports of sex abuse and cover-ups here.
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