Sir, – In the maelstrom of criticism directed at the Catholic Church and some of its hierarchy, we should not forget that it is the State that has ultimate responsibility for the protection of our children. It is right to criticise the shortcomings of the church and set to rights the appalling wrongs that have been perpetrated by some clerics against children. We must not forget, however, that the problem of child sexual and physical abuse is as big (in fact, bigger) in the lay community than it is in the clerical community.
I am no apologist for the shortcomings of the church, but the almost exclusive focus on those shortcomings fails to address the overall problem. I would now like to see an equally powerful light shone on the issue of state protection of children. I have very little doubt that another appalling vista of inadequate procedures, dereliction of duty, protection of self-interest and inadequate resources will be revealed.
No doubt our politicians feel a certain sense of moral gratification in wrapping the knuckles of the Vatican and basking in the political dividends of doing so. The overall problem will not be solved,however, until our politicians are prepared to examine the failures of the State in this area with a similar intensity. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Where next for Enda? The dissolution of the monasteries? God knows, we could do with the revenues! – Yours, etc,
A chara, – It was promising to hear the Taoiseach declaring a new republic and the separation of church and State. It will be a little more credible when the national broadcaster has it on the Six O’Clock news. It’s not just a minute, it’s an era. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – The Taoiseach is to be applauded for what is long overdue, a true coming of age in the nation’s relationship with the Vatican.
Mr Kenny’s speech brings to mind the verse from Corinthians: “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.” – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I am witnessing the open rooting of anti-clericalism in the political life of our nation. I sense that Catholic priests and religious, who have served both the church and the State loyally, lovingly and innocently, feel utterly crushed at this moment.
May I also add that as one humble believer among one billion Catholics worldwide, I feel disgusted, betrayed and brimming with rage, not just at the abusers, but at those that would seek to use this devastating moment in our country’s long and distinguished cultural, political and religious history for their own political gain.– Yours, etc,
Sir, – I find the sight of politicians of every hue jostling for position on the high moral ground after the Cloyne report very disquieting. Let’s not forget that this is the collective group that through their ineptitude in opposition or their arrogance in power has brought this country to its knees and who now preside over a country where suicide rates are increasing, where families and communities are devastated by emigration, where 25 per cent of the population see no future for themselves or their children and where the health service goes from bad to worse, and all of this without anyone being called to account under the law.
Mass-going Catholics know the vast majority of the clergy are doing an extraordinary job in very difficult circumstances. Those who “don’t get it” are a vanishing minority. I feel that politicians have conveniently found a grave to dance on. The legislative remedies have always been in their hands.
In addition to rightly providing comfort for those who have been abused, perhaps politicians could also concentrate on taking the difficult and equitable decisions necessary to give some hope to those who see none at the moment and to ensure the HSE has adequate resources to implement child protection in all sections of society.
I would like to congratulate Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on his comments. He is an example of one who has no gallery to play to. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I see the Taoiseach seems to think his stock is inversely linked to that of the Vatican.
His gallery-pleasing, hypocritical antics and misrepresentation of the 1997 letter from the Congregation for the Clergy are reprehensible for the leader of a mature democracy. I would almost say that he is behaving like an old-fashioned dictator; but they, at least, usually wrote their own lines. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – In the wake of the Taoiseach’s populist speech, we keep on hearing about the cover-up of systematic rape and torture of children so as to protect church prestige.
But reading the summary of accusations from the Cloyne report, it seems to me a different picture emerges. In at least some of the nine cases he is accused of mishandling, Msgr Denis O’Callaghan seems to have been torn between the “pound of flesh” mentality that would ruin old men’s lives (or actually kill them), on the basis of single allegations dating back as far as 60 years, and the “quality of mercy” attitude that the Gospel enjoins.
One recalls Parnell’s plea, “Do not throw me to the wolves.” Fr Federico Lombardi’s invitation to objective discussion might help us get things in better perspective. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – It doesn’t matter if the canon lawyer has a gimlet eye. It doesn’t matter if the Vatican is elitist or narcissistic. It doesn’t matter if the Vatican gives a considered (or any) response. It doesn’t matter if the bishop returns to give a statement to the diocese or media. It matters only that Irish law shows no fear or favour in pursuing those who break it. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Dara Hogan’s letter (July 22nd) claims the horrendous abuses suffered by many at the hands of paedophile priests would have been avoided had women been allowed positions of authority in the church. Has the author conveniently forgotten the abuses perpetrated in the Magdalene laundries, institutions that did have women in authority? – Yours, etc,
A chara, – Why did the Taoiseach not feel it necessary to mention failures by the State, the HSE and the Garda? By not doing so he branded all the good priests and carers with the same brush.
Ian Elliott in The Irish Times(July 22nd) stated it was his church-appointed board that revealed the problems and not the other parties mentioned.
Megaphone diplomacy solves nothing, and only builds up the Taoiseach’s ego. His speech to the Dáil solved nothing, even though everything he said was true. – Is mise,
Sir, – I never expected to see the day when an Irish politician would take on the oppressive power of the Vatican and by extension the hierarchy of the Irish church.
How wrong I was. Enda Kenny's speech, reprinted in The Irish Times, was truly historic.
It was heartfelt and passionate, yet statesman-like. This is a watershed moment for Ireland. – Yours, etc,