This section is reprinted from The Irish Times, April 28, 2008. Author is Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent. View original link at http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0428/1209158498023.html

The Catholic Church in Dublin had been "damaged by scandals and by a reaction of what appears as near arrogance in not realising the damage that had been done to the weakest," the Archbishop of Dublin Most Rev Diarmuid Martin has said. It was something "we cannot overlook".

"The Church in Dublin must regain the goodwill of all. The Church in Dublin must be a place where all the necessary measures for the safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons are in place. Measures for the safeguarding of children must be seen as a priority and not as a burden," he continued.

"Similarly as a Church community we should be attentive to anyone who feels that they have been wounded or hurt or abandoned by the Church in any way. We only learn to heal when we first repent and change from our insensitivities and arrogance."

Dr Martin was speaking to about 1,200 people at the first major assembly of parish pastoral council members in the Dublin archdiocese at the Church of St Laurence O'Toole in Kilmacud yesterday. The councils were set up by him over three years ago, in each of the archdiocese's 200 parishes. "Four years ago yesterday I became Archbishop of Dublin. I cannot think of a better anniversary gift than this assembly. This assembly tells me and tells you and tells all who have ears to hear that the Church in the archdiocese of Dublin is strong and vibrant . . . the Church in the Archdiocese of Dublin is renewing itself and is being renewed through the Spirit," he said.

The mission of parish pastoral councils was "above all that of animation and encouraging others to be more active in their life of faith". He acknowledged that "without doubt the numbers of those who regularly participate in the Eucharist in our diocese is dropping, at times dramatically. This is not as unusual as some might imagine. The Church is a sign of the unity of all humankind. The sign is not about numbers but about the quality of commitment and witness." Evangelisation of the family must be a priority for activities in parishes and throughout the diocese, he said.

"Where families totally delegate their responsibility for the formation of their children in faith to schools, they are losing sight of their responsibility but also of the special grace of the sacrament of marriage," he said.

"We have to form communities of believing Christians with an understanding of their faith which will enable them to speak to and be understood in the situations where the future of our society is being forged." he said.

He also announced he was setting up a diocesan pastoral council to assist him with the process of renewal and mission across the archdiocese.

© 2008 The Irish Times