Bishop speaks out after Rome meeting
Bishop Colm O'Reilly has said he was not "overly surprised" by the wave of negative sentiment that gripped the region following the Rome summit.
In a frank and open appraisal of the 48 hour think-in with the Pope and his 23 fellow bishops, the Colmcille cleric said his sole focus throughout his visit was to address the concerns of his diocese back home.
He said the talks which were held behind closed doors dealt with a lot of the issues that were still outstanding despite claims many critics have since made to the contrary.
"It (summit) went well I thought," he calmly reflected. "I was insulated from all that (negative press). I didn't have a TV, radio or anything, I suppose you could say I was totally away from it all. Having said that the Pope gave a lot of time and attention to what we had to say."
Bishop O'Reilly was nonetheless critical of the hysteria that greeted the Bishops return from the Vatican and acknowledged his displeasure at the lack of interest some national newspapers have given to St Mel's Cathedral especially given the recovery of a number of precious artefacts in recent months.
"I will say there are religious affairs journalists who never asked a question about it (St Mel's) and I'm disappointed by that," he said.
Speaking from his offices just off the Ballinalee Road in Longford town last Friday, Bishop O'Reilly said he believed the Pope was well versed on the challenges the Church faced in Ireland.
A meeting between abuse survivors and the Holy Father was similarly not ruled out.
"It was extremely upsetting for him and he was well briefed about the concerns. He has met victims in other countries. It was quite successful in the United States and I don't see any reason why he would say no," he said.
Quizzed as to why the statement issued by the Vatican contained no direct concession that senior members of the clergy blatantly covered up years of sickening abuse, Bishop O'Reilly said replies by their very nature will not satisfy everyone.
"I thought the statement reflected the deep concerns that the Pope feels. The statement was very good and very carefully drawn up. It can't say everything obviously," he said.
A pastoral letter which is to be penned by the Pope and released during the course of Lent would more than likely "meet some of the concerns people feel are missing," he claimed.
Any rumours pointing to a simmering rift between Bishops were also brushed aside by Bishop O'Reilly who maintained "fundamental unity" still exists even after the events of last week.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
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