Church invitation 'constructive', child protection group says

The chairwoman of the Catholic Church's Working Group on Child Protection, which disbanded last Thursday following lengthy disagreement with Church representatives, has described as "constructive" an invitation to meet again with the Church representatives.

Ms Maureen Lynott was responding last night to queries arising from a letter sent to her by Bishop Colm O'Reilly, a member of the Church steering committee with which the working group has disagreed.

In the letter, Bishop O'Reilly says members of the steering group would like to meet her and "discuss with you how we can proceed from this point".

Meanwhile, the Catholic primate, Archbishop Seán Brady, said yesterday the Church was "determined to provide good child protection policy. Much has been done in the last year." He said the Church was "determined to find a solution" to the difficulties which had arisen and that Church leaders would be "applying ourselves" to this. He thanked the working group for its "good work". He was speaking at Clonmacnois, where he celebrated a Mass to mark the 25th anniversary of the Pope's visit to the Republic.

The working group's disbandment followed serious disagreement with the Church steering committee over whether professionals or Church leaders should make the final decision on how sex abuse complaints were to be handled. Members of the working group believed such a decision should rest with professionals.

In his letter to Ms Lynott, Bishop O'Reilly says "in order to achieve our common objective of achieving a comprehensive child protection policy, we would like to meet and discuss with you how we can proceed from this point".

Ms Lynott said last night she had not yet received the letter, but was aware of its contents. "I would see any such step as constructive," she said of the request for a further meeting.

She did not wish to comment on events leading up to the working group's disbandment.

The letter is written by Bishop O'Reilly "on behalf of Bishops John McAreavey, Raymond Field and myself".

He does not refer to other members of the steering group.