Irish leader Enda Kenny to have first meeting with Pope Benedict

Ideal opportunity for Taoiseach Ó Cíonnaith to demand that the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church repeal the papal bull 'Laudibiliter' of his predecessor, [English] Pope Adrian IV in 1169, granting Ireland to the King Henry II and the English crown in perpetuity, in exchange for one penny per houshold p/a.

I believe that many Catholics are not aware that Cardinal Ratzinger was in charge of the office that dealt with the cases of clergy sexual abuse for 24 years, before he became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. As Pope, he continued the policies of secrecy that were part of the culture of the church for centuries. Although the Pope seems to be condemning the sexual abuse of innocent children now, because of worldwide awareness of the scandal, he has not admitted his role in allowing priest sexual abuse to flourish worldwide under his watch of more than 30 years. In fact, he seems to believe that he is his own law and claims diplomatic immunity, to protect himself from accountability. Would Jesus do this? Is the Pope acting as a Good Shepherd?

I would like to remind Dr.Mc Hugh that nobody condones abuse of any kind .I would ask her how many apologies per hour does she need .As a Catholic I am sick and tired of the continuous demands for hourly apologies . I am also very aware of the "abuse compensation industry ". It is amazing that no other section of society has been accused of child sexual abuse ,when as a doctor I would have thought that she would be aware of the areas of society responsible for most abuse .However ,it obviously does not suit the bigoted agenda !

"The Vatican *refuted* his allegation"??? Not in the document I read that the Vatican addressed to Mr. Kenny! No one at the Vatican "refuted" the Taoiseach's allegation. They argued against it, tried to rebut it, and danced all around the issue of canon law vs Irish sovereignty, but no argument the Vatican offered *refuted* the Taoiseach's charge. And the Taoiseach knew it when he spoke of the "gimlet eye of a canon lawyer." I hope he'll say nothing at the meeting that the Vatican's PR staff might interpret to the press as softening on the issue of requiring church officials to obey Irish law.

Kenny can't be going to Rome, I have him locked in my shed and I torture him daily. Useless there's clones of him, then its worst then i thought.

I am disappointed that my comment has not been made available for the readers of this article. I am very impressed by the courage of Prime Minister Enda Kenny to speak out about the lack of accountability of the Pope and other leaders of the church in the clergy sexual abuse of innocent children worldwide. Sincerely, Dr Rosemary Eileen McHugh, Chicago, Illinois

I would challenge that clown AlanJBall (what a name!) to make similar references about any leader of the Muslim world -dont hold your breath . As for the individual who stated that the Pope was a Nazi ,what an ignoramus .The statement that the Catholic Church is finished in Ireland is just wishful thinking .Where do these people get their bigoted "facts " ?

Pone, Dómine, custódiam ori meo, et óstium circumstántiæ lábiis meis: ut non declínet cor meum in verba malítiæ, ad excusándas excusatiónes in peccátis.

Life in general would be much more civil if people would express their views without resorting to name-calling and sensationalism---does not help the situation at all!

The Pope should kick this guy's ass out of the Vatican.

Why Kenny is talking time to meet that twofaced cretin is beyond me. I suppose he will dish out another apology and send Enda on his way home.Kenny has more important work to be attending too than catering to the whims of that supreme protector of paedophiles and rapists.Ex schoolteacher....visits ex nazi. What could they possibly be talking about that would be of any benefit to the peoples of this country?

did shatter put him up to going to see their revisionist Pope who did the mike jackson moonwalk on who killed kok robin? It wasn't a message from St Patrick that forces him there.

Yes hermit that is true but lets not forget here that the Vatican knew what was happening for years, did nothing about it, they let it happen. The Catholic church is finished in Ireland.

That will be most helpful and healing for both. Mr Kenny's blast had several inaccuracies, very badly researched. His real target was not "the Vatican" - read the Pope- but the screw-up that happened was all done in Ireland