Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale216

in addressing cases of child abuse, continue to cooperate with the civil autho-

rities in their area of competence. Clearly, religious superiors should do like-

wise. They too have taken part in recent discussions here in Rome with a

view to establishing a clear and consistent approach to these matters. It is

imperative that the child safety norms of the Church in Ireland be continu-

ally revised and updated and that they be applied fully and impartially in

conformity with canon law.

Only decisive action carried out with complete honesty and transparency

will restore the respect and good will of the Irish people towards the Church

to which we have consecrated our lives. This must arise, first and foremost,

from your own self-examination, inner purification and spiritual renewal.

The Irish people rightly expect you to be men of God, to be holy, to live

simply, to pursue personal conversion daily. For them, in the words of Saint

Augustine, you are a bishop; yet with them you are called to be a follower of

Christ.5 I therefore exhort you to renew your sense of accountability before

God, to grow in solidarity with your people and to deepen your pastoral

concern for all the members of your flock. In particular, I ask you to be

attentive to the spiritual and moral lives of each one of your priests. Set

them an example by your own lives, be close to them, listen to their concerns,

offer them encouragement at this difficult time and stir up the flame of their

love for Christ and their commitment to the service of their brothers and

sisters.

The lay faithful, too, should be encouraged to play their proper part in

the life of the Church. See that they are formed in such a way that they can

offer an articulate and convincing account of the Gospel in the midst of

modern society 6 and cooperate more fully in the Church's life and mission.

This in turn will help you once again become credible leaders and witnesses to

the redeeming truth of Christ.

12. To all the faithful of Ireland

A young person's experience of the Church should always bear fruit in a

personal and life-giving encounter with Jesus Christ within a loving, nourish-

ing community. In this environment, young people should be encouraged to

grow to their full human and spiritual stature, to aspire to high ideals of

5 Cf. Sermon 340, 1. 6 Cf. 1 Pet 3:15.