The Irish government told the Vatican it expects its fullest co-operation in ensuring children are safe from abusive priests, reports the Belfast Telegraph, while Justice Minister Alan Shatter said the government stood by Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s criticism of Rome, according to the Irish Independent.

The government said that despite outstanding differences it welcomed the Holy See’s commitment to dialogue and co-operation with the Government.

“In welcoming this commitment, the government expects the fullest co-operation from the Holy See,” it added, the Belfast Telegraph report said.

Meanwhile, the Irish Independent quotes Mr Shatter reiterating that the Vatican has frustrated inquiries into clerical child abuse by failing to provide information as recently as three years ago.

“Because the request for information was made directly from the Murphy commission, the Vatican used the diplomatic ploy of refusing to deal with the matter because the request hadn’t come through the Department of Foreign Affairs.”

Mr Shatter said the Vatican failed to provide the Murphy commission with information it had available on child abuse allegations in both the Dublin and Cloyne dioceses.

“Very substantial assistance could have been provided through the offices of the Papal Nuncio. No such assistance was provided.”

FULL STORY

Vatican must co-operate: Enda Kenny (Belfast Telegraph)

Shatter: Vatican used ‘diplomatic ploy’ to frustrate child abuse inquiry (Irish Independent)

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