Lost credibility of our church leaders
Tuesday April 06 2010
IT may not be Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams’s place to speak about the troubles of the Irish Catholic Church, but sadly it does not take away from the truth of Dr Williams’s words: the Catholic Church in Ireland has lost all credibility.
I do not interpret this as applying to ordinary decent Irish Catholics attending Masses and who rightly are determined to hold on to their faith.
The lost credibility applies to their church leaders. It applies to their bishops, priests and Christian Brothers who continue to resist the truth and have not between them been instrumental in bringing a single perpetrator to justice. They have, however, effectively continued to hide the truth.
In fact, it is the tolerance and the spirit of forgiveness and a willingness to help their bishops and priests to start afresh by owning up, that distinguishes ordinary Catholics from their leaders.
Their bishops, priests, Christian Brothers and nuns continue to deny the truth. Shamefully, many who are culpable remain in their positions of power and influence in all communities throughout Ireland. Unless that changes, credibility will never be restored.
Despite many references and calls by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin for “the whole truth to come out” I see no real signs of preparation to ensure that the whole truth of decades of abuse by the clergy is in hand and we will come to know the whole truth.
It is 10 years since Mary Raftery’s ‘States of Fear’ documentary on the suffering endured by children in industrial schools was first shown, and 10 years since the State apology for its neglect and more then 20 years since the publication of ‘The God Squad’ by Paddy Doyle, a landmark book of harrowing abuse of a young boy.
Still, politicians remain silent, show no leadership and give no voice to their own Irish citizens who cry out for justice.
Church leaders, particularly the Pope, have so far issued only qualified apologies, theologically laden with words that have brought no comfort or peace to those who suffered.
Cllr Sally Mulready
Irish Women Survivors’ Support Network, Camden Square, LONDON
Irish Independent
Archbishop Martin is not as clean and truthful as he makes out. When I met him in Sydney and informed him of my Mental Persecution by Solicitor and Family after settling with him. He claimed he would intervene but did not. Lied? He is fully aware of a current cover up that includes current unexposed Bishop in the Archdioceses as well as the Ex Priest.
They are only putting on a change of face, Snakes do not change. Snakes Shed but it is the same skin just looks slightly different still dangerous.
Yet another wonderfully written statement from Sally Mulready and to the point.