The Visitation will begin on 9th January 2011 and, in the first phase, my main responsibility is to listen. I am making myself available to meet and listen to people who may wish to see me and, most especially, anyone who has been a victim of clerical abuse, and their families. If any survivor of abuse, or the family, would like to meet with me then, please contact Aileen Oates, member of the Safeguarding Committee (contact details accompanying this letter,) and she will make an appointment.
Naturally, I will need to speak with Cardinal Brady and Bishop Clifford and I am also anxious to listen to priests, religious and lay people of the Archdiocese. The Cathedral Administrator, Fr Eugene Sweeney, has kindly agreed to help arrange a timetable for these meetings, and his details too are given with this letter.
I am conscious that some individuals may find it difficult to meet with me or another cleric. Dr Sheila Hollins, Professor of the UK Board of Psychiatry at St George’s University of London, has agreed to work with me for this listening process. I believe it is important that anyone who would like to be heard has opportunities to do so in the manner which is most comfortable for them. Mgr Mark O’Toole, Rector of Allen Hall Seminary, is also accompanying me.
In addition, I am open to receiving letters. To ensure confidentiality, if anyone wishes to write a letter to me it should be sent by post to the Apostolic Nuncio at the Apostolic Nunciature – his details too accompany this letter.
You will find a copy of the parameters of the Visitation, as outlined by the Holy See in its press statement, at the back of the church. Copies of this letter are there too and give the relevant contacts. It would be helpful if those who would like to meet with me could be in touch with Fr Eugene Sweeney or Aileen Oates before the beginning of the Visitation on 9th January.
This Visitation will, I hope, build on what has already been accomplished with regard to the safeguarding of children and, I pray, be experienced as a real mark of the Holy Father’s pastoral care and outreach to all the people of Ireland. I look forward to being with you for the weeks following 9th January and as we approach this time together I ask for your prayers.
Yours devotedly,
+Cormac Card. Murphy-O’Connor
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor,
Visitator,
Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster
Apostolic Visitation – Holy See Communique
JANUARY 2011
Guidelines for Contacting Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor
For survivors of abuse and their families, who would like a personal meeting with the Cardinal, please contact
Aileen Oates, 42 Abbey St, Armagh, BT61 7DZ
E [email protected]
M 07895 460797
M 00 44 7895 460797 (from RoI)
For priests, religious and lay people who would like a personal meeting with the Cardinal please contact
Fr Eugene Sweeney, 42 Abbey St, Armagh, BT61 7DZ
E [email protected]
M 07514 292279
M 00 44 7514 292279 (from RoI)
For those who would like to write a confidential letter write to
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor,
c/o The Apostolic Nuncio,
The Apostolic Nunciature,
183 Navan Road,
Dublin 7
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