Dublin, Ireland, Jul 30, 2011 / 05:10 am
Ireland's 2012 International Eucharistic Congress will continue as planned, from June 10-17, despite calls to postpone the event following the recently released Cloyne Report on clerical abuse.
“It is especially important for people in times of challenge or crisis that they can gather in solidarity and rediscover their essential truths,” said Father Kevin Doran, secretary general of the Eucharistic Congress, on July 29.
He told CNA that “Catholics are no different in this regard” and the Eucharistic Congress will “support that need” within the Church.
Senator Cait Keane, a member of Ireland's ruling Fine Gael party, had proposed the postponement, telling the Irish parliament on July 27 that “everyone will be better served, given the sensitivities around the findings of this report,” if the congress is “held at a later date.”