Wikileaks cable exposes Vatican's anger over Irish sex abuse investigation
Pope Benedict XVI
A February 2010 cable exposed by the the so-called "Cablegate" Wikileaks release casts light on the Vatican's involvement in impeding the Irish investigation into the Church's sexual abuse scandal. The Guardian reported one such cable not showed that Pope Benedict XVI refuse to allow its officials to testify before the Murphy Commission investigation into clerical abuse of children, the Vatican was also angered when officials were summoned from Rome.
The cable, titled, "SEX ABUSE SCANDAL STRAINS IRISH-VATICAN RELATIONS, SHAKES UP IRISH CHURCH, AND POSES CHALLENGES FOR THE HOLY SEE," detailed a number of formerly undisclosed facts about the Vatican's reaction to the investigation.
- The Vatican believes the Irish government failed to respect and protect Vatican sovereignty during the investigations.
- The Murphy Commission's requests offended many in the Vatican, the Holy See's Assessor Peter Wells (protect strictly) told DCM, because they saw them as an affront to Vatican sovereignty. Vatican officials were also angered that the Government of Ireland did not step in to direct the Murphy Commission to follow standard procedures in communications with Vatican City. Adding insult to injury, Vatican officials also believed some Irish opposition politicians were making political hay with the situation by calling publicly on the government to demand that the Vatican reply. Ultimately, Vatican Secretary of State (Prime Minister equivalent) Bertone wrote to the Irish Embassy that requests related to the investigation must come through diplomatic channels via letters rogatory.
- Our contacts at the Vatican and in Ireland expect the crisis in the Irish Catholic Church to be protracted over several years, as only allegations from the Dublin Archdiocese have been investigated to date. Investigations of allegations from other Archdioceses will lead, officials in both states lament, to additional painful revelations.
Despite the Vatican's lack of assistance in the investigation, the Murphy Report, produced by the commission, substantiated many of the claims by sexual abuse victims. It concluded that some in the Church had tried to cover up the abuse.
In March of this year, Pope Benedict XVI issued a letter criticizing Irish bishops for their earlier handling of the issue. He also apologized to the victims. He said:
"Grave errors of judgment were made and failures of leadership occurred. All this has seriously undermined your credibility and effectiveness.
"You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated. It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the church. In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel."
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