Sir, - Congratulations to Father Jackie Robinson on his excellent letter (December 6th) which was pertinent, reasonable and, above all else, Christian. Would that his superiors (?) and contemporaries could bring themselves to adopt a similar attitude.
I would go further and suggest that all victims of such abominable abuse should be fully compensated by the responsible church or order. Where necessary, properties, of whatever kind, should be sold by order of the courts to raise the appropriate funds. In Australia the Catholic Church has set aside a fund of $25 million to pay the relevant compensation and in America, the church has already paid out close to $1 billion in compensation.
Christians have always been taught to pay their debts and the time has come for the Church to practice what it preaches. Every victim is a creditor and until such time as each has been fully compensated there cannot be, and nor should there be, any forgiveness either in heaven or on earth.
More importantly, until such time as the Church accepts and satisfactorily fulfils its responsibilities it will continue in free fall, especially with the younger population, as indeed it richly deserves to do. - Yours, etc.,
W. G. A. Scott, Friars Hill, Wicklow.