Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 925

It is important to remember that the Visitators are not expected to

receive allegations of new or old cases of abuse. If any were to arise, such

allegations must be reported to the respective Ordinaries or Major Superiors

who have the duty to inform the competent civil and ecclesiastical autho-

rities, in conformity with the current civil and ecclesiastical laws.

Regarding the Visitation of the Four Metropolitan Archdioceses

As previously announced, the Visitators of the four Irish Metropolitan

Archdioceses will be: His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor for

Armagh; His Eminence Seán P. O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap. for Dublin; the Most

Reverend Thomas C. Collins for Cashel and Emly; the Most Reverend

Terrence T. Prendergast, S.J. for Tuam. The Visitators may bring with them

some people, approved by the Congregation for Bishops, who can serve as

assistants.

In respect of and in conformity with local civil law, the Visitators will

make themselves available to meet with those who have been deeply

wounded by abuse and who wish to be met and heard, beginning with the

victims themselves and their families. They will be received in the same

fatherly manner in which the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has on

several occasions greeted and listened to those who have suffered the terrible

crime of abuse.

The Visitators will monitor how well the guidelines of Safeguarding Chil-

dren, Standards and Guidance Document for the Catholic Church in Ireland,

commissioned and produced in February 2009 by the National Board for

Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church, are functioning and how they

may be better implemented and improved.

The Visitators may also meet with the other Bishops of the Province, and

they should listen to, besides the local Ordinary, the Vicar General, the

Episcopal Vicars, the Judges of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal, the Chancellor

and other officials of the Curia, members of the Presbyteral Councils,

members of the College of Consultors and of Pastoral Councils and, above

all, those responsible for the Office of Protection and Prevention of Abuse at

the diocesan and parish level. Finally, Pastors and other priests, the lay

faithful and individual men and women who wish to be received by the

visiting Prelates may request this in writing. The Visitators will meet people

individually or as a family.