Called back
July 25, 2011
The Vatican took the rarely-seen step of recalling its ambassador in Ireland amid rising tensions with the Irish parliament over the church's role a child sex abuse cover-up.
Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, the Apostolic Nuncio of Ireland, was asked to report to the Vatican for consultations.
Ireland has grown increasingly upset with how the Catholic Church dealt with the sex abuse scandal in the country, saying the church did not do enough to address the claims of abuse.
A recent government report accused the church of failings in its handling of abuse allegations against 19 clerics in the diocese of Cloyne between 1996 and 2009.
Awaiting the Vatican's response
The Vatican has yet to respond to the latest claims in Ireland, and it is expected recalling Leanza is an effort to coordinate an official response.
Ireland is awaiting the Vatican's response to the reports, and Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore said it was "a matter for the Holy See."
"It is to be expected that the Vatican would wish to consult in depth with the Nuncio on its response," Gilmore added.
The Vatican's decision to recall Leanza comes a few days after Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny's scathing remarks condemning the Vatican for its inaction and downplaying of the situation.
Author: Matt Zuvela (Reuters, AFP)
Editor: Andrew Bowen