In Ireland and in Rome

Last year, the spectre of reported cases of abuse of minors by priests and members of the clergy were reported in Ireland, and this caused such an uproar that the Vatican stepped in quickly.  Especially in light of other cases previously reported in the United States of America, Canada and elsewhere, something had to be done.

The result: an Apostolic Vistation (that's a fancy term meaning that some high ranking clergy are chosen to represent the Vatican as visitors to the places of concern).  The Visitators first met with those affected, including some of the victims as well as those responsible for the formation of and the life of clergy in that country.  They then wrote and submitted reports to the relevant offices in Rome: in this case the Congregation for Bishops, the Congregation for Catholic Education and the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Today, the Vatican Press Office issued an interum report on the findings of the Visitators.  It would appear that things are on track.  More work still remains to be done, and more reports will undoubtedly be filed.  The process of uncovering the problems, of enumerating the issues and of finding the solutions continues, delicate work indeed.