Insert for parish newsletters for Masses on weekend of 26 and 27 March 2011 

The first anniversary of the publication of the Pastoral Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the 
Catholics of Ireland occurs on 19 March 2011. To mark this anniversary Irish bishops 
wish to bring the following three important initiatives to the attention of the faithful: the 
publication of their pastoral response Towards Healing and Renewal; the new Catholic 
counselling and support service for survivors of abuse; and, the progress of listening and 
consultation exercises which have been taking place. 

To mark this first anniversary bishops have published the pastoral response Towards 
Healing and Renewal This outlines different undertakings that the bishops are making in 
response to survivors of abuse. These steps include: Prayer for the Survivors of Abuse; 
a commitment to listening with sensitivity and care to the experiences of those who 
suffered abuse; spiritual support to survivors of abuse who wish to avail themselves of 
it, including the opportunity for spiritual direction; ongoing commitment to creating a 
safer future for children in the Church in accordance with Safeguarding Children; a 
review of Dioceses, Religious Congregations and Societies by the National Board for 
Safeguarding Children; and ongoing financial support for the work of safeguarding 
and care. Towards Healing and Renewal also includes ways in which parish 
communities can play their part in assisting the process of healing for survivors of abuse. 

In February 2011 bishops, the Conference of Religious of Ireland and the Irish 
Missionary Union launched a new Catholic counselling and support service. This 
counselling service, which continues the important work ofFaoiseamh, supports 
survivors of abuse in a professional and caring environment by providing a wide range of 
services, including Helpline and face-to-face Counselling. Healing Meetings, Group 
Work, Practical Workshops and a Social Worker/Bridging service designed to link 
survivors of abuse to other services relevant to their needs, such as the health, local 
authority, educational and social welfare services. 

Over the last year, and prompted by Pope Benedict's Pastoral Letter, listening and 
consultation exercises have been taking place in dioceses. These are continuing and are 
an important step on the journey of healing and renewal for the Church in Ireland. 

Some dioceses have held liturgies of repentance and lament for the harm done to children 
by priests who abused and by Church authorities who did not respond to those who 
approached them. Survivors of abuse were consulted about the preparation of these 
liturgies and also involved in the celebration of them. We are conscious that there may be 
many who would welcome such an initiative in our diocese but we are reluctant to 
proceed with such a liturgy without input from survivors. Bishop O'Reilly would like to 
hear from any survivors who have views on such an initiative, or who might wish to be 
involved in the planning of a liturgy of repentance and lament. The bishop may be 
contacted by letter at Bishop's House, Cullies, Cavan, Co Cavan; by email at 
bishop@kilmorediocese.ie or by phone at 049 4331496.