Irish translation of Pope Benedict’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland on www.catholicbishops.ie

24 Mar 2010

PRESS RELEASE
24 March 2010

Irish translation of Pope Benedict’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland on www.catholicbishops.ie

· Tréadlitir an Phápa Rónaofa Beinidict XVI Chuig Caitlicigh na hÉireann

The Irish language translation of the Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland is now available on the Irish Catholic Bishops’ website www.catholicbishops.ie as part of a special web feature. This feature also includes:

  • The text of the Pastoral Letter in the Irish and English languages
  • Pope Benedict’s Prayer for the Church in Ireland in Irish and English
  • Extracts from the Pastoral Letter
  • A selection of video and text resources from the Vatican relating to the publication of the pastoral including a video of Pope Benedict reading paragraph six of the pastoral letter which is addressed to abuse victims and their families, presentation by Fr Federico Lombard SJ, Director of the Vatican Press Office, and many other related documents.
  • Video footage of Cardinal Seán Brady welcoming the Pastoral Letter in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh on 20 March last.
This special web feature on www.catholicbishops.ie will be updated as additional information relating to the Pastoral Letter becomes available, including the Polish translation which will be available shortly.
Speaking in St Peter’s Square ahead of its publication last week, Pope Benedict said on St Patrick’s day: “I ask all of you to read it [the Pastoral Letter] for yourselves, with an open heart and in a spirit of faith. My hope is that it will help in the process of repentance, healing and renewal”. On 20 March 2010, Cardinal Brady welcomed the pastoral letter in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh saying: “My dear people, as Pope Benedict said … I ask that you read this letter with an open heart and in a spirit of faith.” The new Facebook and Twitter pages of the Irish Bishops’ Conference are also helping to make the Pastoral Letter, and associated resources, as accessible as possible.
ENDS
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications, 086 172 7678
Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer, 087 310 4444