Francis will meet abuse victims

Pope Francis

 

By Irish Echo Staff

Pope Francis will meet with victims of clerical sex abuse during his visit to Ireland in August.

Speaking at Maynooth, Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, said the pope will meet with victims of clerical abuse during his visit.

“The pope will meet with various groups,” he said.

“In other visits across the world he has met with survivors. Generally speaking, he has met them quietly to respect their anonymity and we’d be looking at the way that can be done.

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“There are a wide range of people who are survivors of institutions, of abuse by priests, and of mother and baby homes.

“We’d find a way which the pope can address concerns of all of those people but we have many meetings.”

Meanwhile, the full schedule for the papal visit has been confirmed.

Francis will spend two full days in the country on August 25 and 26.

Here’s the full itinerary:

Saturday 25 August


  • 10.30am: Arrival at Dublin International Airport (official welcome)

  • 10.45am: Transfer to Áras an Uachtaráin

  • 11.15am: Arrival at the Presidential Residence (welcome ceremony in front of the main entrance of the Residence)

  • 11.30am: Visit with the President

  • 12.10am: Arrival at Dublin Castle for a meeting with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps (speech by Pope Francis)

  • 3.30pm: Arrival at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral

  • 4.15pm: Transfer to the Day Centre of the Capuchin Fathers (private visit)

  • 7.30pm: Arrival at Croke Park

  • 7.45pm: Feast of the Families at Croke Park (speech by Pope Francis)


Sunday 26 August

  • 8.40am: Departure by plane for Knock, followed by immediate transfer

  • 9.45am: Arrival at Knock Shrine (Angelus at the square in front of Knock Shrine)

  • 11.15am: Departure from Knock by plane

  • 11.50am: Arrival at Dublin Airport followed by lunch with the Papal Delegation

  • 2.30pm: Arrival at the Phoenix Park

  • 3pm: Mass at the Phoenix Park (Homily by Pope Francis)

  • Later: Meeting with the Bishops at the Convent of the Dominican Sisters (speech by Pope Francis)

  • 6.30pm: Farewell ceremony at Dublin Airport


“While disruption is unavoidable for a visit of this scale, the government is aiming to ensure that any disruption to businesses and individuals due to the visit is minimized as much as possible,” a government press release said.

The papal visit will the first to Ireland since that by Pope John Paul II in 1979. Pope Francis will not be visiting the North during his two days.

 

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