In his Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland, Pope Benedict XVI said that he intended “to hold an Apostolic Visitation of certain dioceses in Ireland, as well as seminaries and religious congregations. Arrangements for the Visitation, which is intended to assist the local Church on her path of renewal, will be made in co-operation with the competent offices of the Roman Curia and the Irish Episcopal Conference.”
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor was appointed by the Holy See to oversee the Apostolic Visitation to the Archdiocese of Armagh. The Visitation began on Monday 10 January and ended on Tuesday 25 January 2011.
During the course of the Visitation, it was “recommended that each archdiocese, embracing the penitential sentiments expressed by the Holy Father in his Letter, organise a penitential service or some other similar gathering in the presence of the Visitator with the approval of the local ordinary. This will correspond with the penitential activities already promoted by the Irish Episcopal Conference, which include prayer, fasting and almsgiving.”
Holy See Communique
The Service of Penitence and Healing for the Archdiocese of Armagh took place on Sunday 23 January in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh. Below you can download words of introduction and reflection from the Apostolic Visitor, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and his assistant for the Visitation, Consultant Psychiatrist, Professor Sheila Hollins.
Apostolic Visitation to Ireland: Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor
Apostolic Visitation to Ireland: Prof. Hollins
Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor appointed to oversee the Visitation of the Archdiocese of Armagh link
