The Vatican confirmed today that Pope Francis WILL meet with survivors of abuse during his trip to Ireland.
After Archbishop Diarmuid Martin had initially (and embarrassingly) claimed that 'time is very tight', the Pope will now meet with a group of survivors over the weekend.
Papal spokesperson Greg Burke has stated that it will be a private meeting but also emphasised that those meeting the Pope will be free to speak to media afterwards if they so wish.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin with Pope Francis
The World Meeting of Families begins this evening with events across all 26 Dioceses on the island and so far the mood has been one of uncertainty on the part of many locals. Many laity and clergy are rightfully distressed at the emerging details from the grotesque Pennsylvania report, others irritated by politicians hoping to hide their own scandals by insulting believers and then there are also those frustrated with what they see as the Vatican's slow response.
As Ireland has been a ground zero for abuse cases within the Church, the World Meeting of Families arriving on its shores during the worst week of Francis's papacy seems almost fitting. It will be a painful but necessary experience for the Irish Church.