Linking homosexuality with abuse

Madam, – I am shocked to hear that the Catholic Church (via Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone) is now blaming…

Madam, – I am shocked to hear that the Catholic Church (via Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone) is now blaming homosexuality for that organisation’s systematic rape of children and its subsequent cover-up (World News, April 13th). Would it not be more becoming of an organisation claiming to be “Christian”, to stop its vicious attack on vulnerable minorities, such as gay men and women, and instead focus on contributing to a modern and inclusive society that protects the weak and punishes those who destroy lives? – Yours, etc,

JOSEPH MORGAN,

Cullenswood Park,

Ranelagh,

Dublin 6.

Madam, – I am deeply aghast at Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone’s blind assertion that homosexuality is linked to paedophilia. There is absolutely no study which shows a correlation between the two or which shows that homosexuality causes paedophilia.

I am not surprised, however, that an organisation that refuses to address its own grim failings in an appropriate manner chooses to make scapegoats of an innocent minority group to deflect some of the media attention away from itself. These kinds of statements are sure to cause great upset among members of the homosexual community and their families.

Even worse, I dread to think of the psychological damage these kinds of statements could cause among those who are just beginning to explore their sexual identities. It seems to me that this organisation, which has caused so much damage already, finds it easier to continue damaging than to make amends and turn itself around.

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As control and credibility slips from its grasp, I brace myself for any further desperate mutterings which Catholic Church leaders may have to offer us over the coming months. – Yours, etc,

LAURA HARMON,

LGBT Campaigns and Human

Rights Officer,

University College Cork.