Boston's O'Malley To Investigate Irish Clergy Abuse

The Vatican has nominated Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley to be one of the investigators looking into the clergy abuse scandal in Ireland.

In announcing the Vatican investigation Monday, Pope Benedict XVI said Cardinal O'Malley will be one of nine so-called apostolic visitors to Ireland. They will look at the Irish church procedures to prevent abuse and how they might be improved. The investigators will also report their findings to the Vatican.

In a statement, Cardinal O'Malley says he's humbled by his nomination.

The archbishop of Dublin says Cardinal O'Malley is particularly suited to address what he calls a dark moment in the Irish church's history. The Irish government released two reports last year detailing widespread abuse in churches and church-run state institutions and a cover up by Catholic officials.

Cardinal O'Malley dealt with similar issues when the clergy abuse scandal broke in Boston in 2002.

The review could begin as early as this summer.