Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale926

If possible, it is recommended that each Archdiocese, embracing the pe-

nitential sentiments expressed by the Holy Father in his Letter, organize a

Penitential service or some other similar gathering in the presence of the

Visitator with the approval of the local Ordinary. This will correspond with

the penitential activities already promoted by the Irish Episcopal Confer-

ence, which include prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

With the aim of ensuring confidentiality, all those who wish to write to

the Visitators should address letters to them by name using the mailing

address of the Apostolic Nunciature.

In order to facilitate access for those who would like to meet with them,

the address of the respective Visitator will be communicated by the

Archdiocese. In coordination with each Visitator, their availability, the days

they are already occupied and those still available for meetings with various

people will be communicated.

Regarding the Visitation to the Irish Seminaries

The Apostolic Visitator for the Irish Seminaries is the Most Reverend

Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York. He will be assisted by some

clerics, approved by the Congregation for Catholic Education, whose

main duty will be to help to conduct the one-to-one interviews with the

seminarians.

Archbishop Dolan will visit 5 institutions: St. Patrick's College,

Maynooth; the Pontifical Irish College, Rome; Saint Malachy's College,

Belfast; All Hallows College, Dublin; Milltown Institute of Theology and

Philosophy, Dublin (this will be visited only in regard to its academic

programmes).

Prior to each Visitation, the Visitator will receive copies of all necessary

documentation. Moreover, each staff member and student will be granted the

possibility to express to the Visitator in a signed statement his opinion about

the seminary. Such letters should be addressed to the Visitator using the

mailing address of the Apostolic Nuntiature.

The Visitator will examine all aspects of priestly formation. He, or his

assistants, will conduct private interviews with all staff members, all semi-

narians and, where applicable, other parties normally involved in the life of

the seminary. It is not his task to meet with victims of abuse who, as noted

above, may be instead received by the Visitators of the four Metropolitan