Dear Sir,

Sunday September 19 2010

Your remarks of September 16 and yesterday concerning church authorities’ handling of child rape complaints give the impression that neither John Paul II nor yourself knew of how these complaints were being managed.

Can you please make clear exactly who has been running the church since 1979?

You have said church authorities did not act quickly or decisively in dealing with complaints. This is entirely dishonest.

In fact authorities acted extremely quickly and decisively, but in protection of priests and the church, not of children.

In your letter to Irish mass-goers you said the Irish hierarchy in transferring abusive priests had acted with “a well-intentioned desire to protect the reputation of the church”.

If there is now any such well-intentioned desire on your part then why have you not in outrage fired every employee of the church who contributed even in the remotest of ways, consciously or unconsciously, to the murder of Christ as made manifest in those children who were ravaged?

It looks extremely bad that you have not done so. And that you continue to set up lies and smoke-screens and treat us as if we are stupid.

Spokespeople on your behalf keep saying, falsely, that hierarchies acted independently of the Vatican, when countless pleading letters from bishops to the Vatican show that is not the case. As do the specific instructions issued by the Vatican in 1962 to all bishops for dealing with complaints of rape. Those instructions required the victim making complaints, as well as the cleric taking complaints, to sign an oath (the Brady oath) of silence under threat of excommunication.

Your letter of 2001 to all bishops confirms the 1962 instructions were in operation until 2001.

Why do you allow your representatives to lie?

Do you not deserve better from your employees?

We deserve better.

As long as the house of The Holy Spirit remains a haven for criminals, the church’s reputation will remain ruined.

The Holy Spirit deserves better.

Which reminds me. You have terrible PR people.

If I were you I’d give them the boot too.

Sinead

Sunday Independent

 

28 Responses to “Sinead’s open letter to Benedict”

  1. Rob Northall says:

    There are currently 3 Petitions that relate to the Pope and his Position regarding Child Abuse

    PETITION TO STOP DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY BEING INVOKED IN CASES OF CHILD ABUSE @ http://bit.ly/dPXf5F

    PETITION THE UNITED NATIONS TO DEFINE THE SYSTEMIC SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN AS “CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY” @ http://bit.ly/g7vVPQ

    PETITION THE POPE TO STOP THE COVER UP@ http://bit.ly/fuTIBz

    I hope you can Sign and Support them?

    Your Friend in our Common Cause
    Rob

  2. hello well i posted a comment about this questionaire on the labour partys responce to the statury fund as we all should know whats happening . Ialso sugested that it be put on this site for all of us. its about people or it should be

  3. sean morrison says:

    Robert and all,
    I asked a question on the 29th of Sept. gone. No one has answered that question, if you scroll up the letters here.
    I have found some information on it.
    Education Finance Board/ grants for residents of former institutions and their relatives.

    Under the terms of the Indemnity Agreement reached between the State and 18 religious congregations dated the 5th June 2002, there is provision for a sum of 12.7 million euro to be used for former residents and their families to facilitate them in accessing programmes.
    On 17th February 2006, Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin TD, Formally established the Statutory body for the Education Finance board/An Bord Airgeadais Oideachais as provided for in the Commission to Inquire into child abuse (Amendant) Act 2005.
    Prior to the establishment of the Board some expenditure from the Fund was undertaken by Ad Hoc Committee which oversaw a parallel administrative scheme pending the enactment of the legislation.
    The functions of the Board are:
    To pay grants to former residents of Institutions and their relatives to assist them in the availing educational.
    To provide information in relation to educational services for which grants are payable.
    To determine and publish the criteria for the payment of such grants.
    The Board appointed by the Minister, is independant in the performance of its functions and consists of a chairperson, eight ordinary members, four of whom are former residents of one or more institutions.
    Chairperson- Richard Langford.
    Members- John Brennan, Bernadette Fahy, Christopher Heaphy, Brian Mooney, Michael O’Brien, Jack Stewart and Patrick Walsh.

    Regards.
    Seanie.

  4. robert says:

    charles i totally agree with you it did for sure paddy’s site is all there is and the right man started it.
    it is a shame the groups have not got the balls to do what paddy has done thus far.

  5. Celine says:

    Good letter Sinead. Doubt if Benedict will reply.

    Sorry to hear that you were ill,Paddy. Glad you’re on the mend again.

  6. Charles O'Rourke says:

    Glad you are back amongst us. Must admit it felt empty without you Paddy.

  7. great news ‘ paddy , take care .

  8. Hi Paddy glad you are out of hospital rest and get well.Enjoy a glass of G&T.Catherine.

  9. robert says:

    well back to the grinding stone so to speak.
    we have a serious problem now. this is regarding these so called groups, apparently we now have a new group titled the munster there id a meeting being held there at mahon community centre avenue du rennes mahon 2nd of oct at 14.00 pm.
    this was sent to me by mr oliver burke.

    WHILE HERE
    WE SURVIVORS HAVE HUGH PROBLEMS WITH THE PROOF OF THAT THERE IS NOTHING BEING DONE TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF SURVIVORS.

    THE COUNTRY IS IN A BAD WAY AND NOT ONE GROUP HAS SHOWN INTEREST IN THIS.
    THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT SURVIVORS EVEN MORE, I SAY THIS AS THERE ARE NO MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES IN PLACE BY THIS GOVERNMENT FOR SURVIVORS AND NO GROUP HAS PICKED UP ON THIS YET. THIS IS SHOCKING YET AGAIN SHOCKING.
    WHAT AM I ON ABOUT?

    THE BANKS
    THE MEDICAL CARD
    SOCIAL WELFARE
    STATUARY FUND

    THOSE WHO HAVE REDRESS IN THE BANKS SAVING UP FOR THEIR FUTURE THEIR CHILDREN WHAT EVER HOW SAFE IS THE REDRESS MONIES?
    CAN THE GOVERNMENT TAKE FROM THESE SURVIVORS THEIR REDRESS TO SAVE THE TOXIC BANKS? BELIEVING THEY ARE SAVINGS AND NOT REDRESS?
    WHAT PROTECTION IS THERE IN PLACE, AND IN LEGAL FORM MEANING IN BLACK AND WHITE.
    TO BE WRITTEN IN LAYMAN’S TERMS SO SURVIVORS THEMSELVES CAN UNDERSTAND.

    MEDICAL CARD HOLDERS DO WE NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO US OURSELVES.?
    I MENTIONED THIS TO THE GROUP IN CORK AND
    (THE ANSWER I GOT WAS WELL ITS ONLY 50CENTS SPARE CHANGE ANYONE CAN AFFORD THAT)
    MY ANSWER TO HIM WAS WELL IF YOU ARE LIKE ME ON LOTS OF MEDICATIONS THAT IS A BIT MORE THAN 50CENT.
    BESIDES DENTAL CARE MOST OF US LOST TEETH DUE TO THE PAST.
    THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO HANDLE SURVIVORS NEEDS GOD DAM IT .
    AGAIN THIS IS A DISGRACE WE NEED THE RIGHT POLITICAL MIND HERE ONCE AND FOR ALL TO FIGHT FOR THE PROTECTION OF SURVIVORS ON MEDICAL CARDS. AS AGAIN THERE ARE NO MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES ON BEHALF OF SURVIVORS.

    WELFARE
    THOSE ON WELFARE IN THIS COUNTRY ONLY KNOW HOW IT IS GETTING SO TOUGH THAT YOU WILL BE DIPPING OR HAVE BEEN DIPPING INTO THE REDRESS TO SURVIVE.
    THE LAW OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE IS THERE FOR ALL AGAIN NO MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES.
    THIS STATUARY FUND IS TO GO TOWARDS WELFARE AND EDUCATION.
    WELL NOW YOU ARE ALL IN TROUBLE ON WELFARE AS YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE KNOWN ANY MONEY YOU HAVE AND PROVE THAT THIS IS REDRESS.
    BUT IN TURN THIS IS CLASSED AS SAVINGS AS THE SOCIAL WELFARE SEE YOU HAVE MONEY. THEY ARE EXEMPT FROM THE RULES OF REDRESS OR ANY AGREEMENT ON SURVIVOR ISSUES.
    WELL PUT IT THIS WAY THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE TO DATE TO CLEAR UP THIS MESS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND SO CALLED GROUPS.

    THE GOVERNMENT ONLY PAID 50 % OF THE BILL THEY PROMISED US THEY STOLE THE OTHER 50% BACK.
    500 MILLION EURO AND LEFT ONLY 100 MILLION FROM THE RELIGIOUS.
    IS THIS 50% OF THE RELIGIOUS CONTRIBUTION? ONLY 110 MILLION? COME ON THOSE OF YOU WHO CLAIM TO REPRESENT SURVIVORS OR DOES THE ANSWER COME LIKE IT HAS BEEN SAID YET BY THE SAME GROUP IN CORK
    ” WELL WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED THIS THATS THAT.”

    SO I ASK THIS GOVERNMENT HAS THE LAW CHANGED NOW IF TWO PEOPLE COMMIT THE SAME CRIME TOGETHER THEY CAN NOW SHARE THE TIME 50% EACH?

    EDUCATION
    WAS THIS PART OF THE REDRESS AGREEMENT OR NOT DOES ANYONE KNOW OR CARE?
    BECAUSE THIS IS NOW TO BE PART OF THE STATUARY FUND

    YES THE VERY SAME TRICK WE PAY FOR OUR OWN EDUCATION OUR OWN REDRESS OUR OWN MEDICAL CARD.
    IT SEEMS IF YOU GET ABUSED IN THIS COUNTRY YOU GET RE-ABUSED.

    TO TOP IT ALL THE POPE WENT TO ENGLAND TO SHAKE HANDS WITH THE WEALTHY AND HEALTHY.
    DOES THIS SURPRISE ANYONE?

  10. robert says:

    thank goodness for your health paddy may you always stay in the best of health.
    well done paddy we know you are a fighter regards robert

  11. Paddy says:

    I’m out of hospital and recovering. Many thanks. Paddy

  12. Paddy says:

    I am out of hospital. Recovering now. Many thanks to you and to the many other people who’ve sent me ‘get well’ messages. They are much appreciated. Paddy

  13. robert says:

    paddy any news on if you are out of hospital? i do hope you are ok paddy. if you are in or out thinking of you to be strong and bak to health. very warm regards robert

  14. sean morrison says:

    Has anyone heard of the Statutory fund of 12.7 million for education set up 5th June 2002 funded by the 18 religious congregations ?. I came as a big surprise to me. Let me know if you have.

    Seanie

  15. hello paddy i hope you are out of the hospital by now .

  16. Colm Ui Dalaigh AKA Dove says:

    Hi All,

    it is true we are all Angel King Paddy, Glad you are out of Hospital. Some News.

    I have recently found how to Open the Earth and Swallow the Floods. My First Son born 21/12/2001 11 years to Old Era End Date by Mayan End Time 21/12/2012. My Second exact period in Revelations to 22/12/2012 the New era Start. We have Snakes and Scorpians here. Real ones not psycological metapychuical ones like Solicitors. I have also worked out how to increase World Fish Production potentially like five to 12.

    In any case in Sinaed is there I need the Stars. Roobie Willioams says you are keeping the Faith at least some. Angel Marley said i have to full fill the Book. Done So. Druid Geldof and Ur Feed the World trying to concieve how think may have done so. Not bono he canot sing that is why U2 are so Good the rest make up for him. Do not tell him though may get upset.

    We have Won Paddy the Futhure for all the Children will be priotected. If any one wants please read my Thesis document still draft on the Intelectual Site Academia.edu. People Like Stephen Hawkins reside some of their research there.

    If you could help me contact Sinaed or other in that Field of Music then we could get the ball rolling. I have also found a potential contributor to Climate Change and Global Warming. There are document with World Solutions to World Problems but may need more expansion as do not go into full details.

    I love you All for we are all Shrines.

    Yours in Faith

    olm Ui Dalaigh
    Sept Dalach
    Ard Ri of Eire
    Church of Conceptology
    Peace Humanity and Justice

  17. Raymond says:

    A speedy and full recovery to you Paddy.

    You didn’t go in there ‘quietly’, and the hospital will be a better place when you leave! Well done for NOT leaving your principles and experience at home, and for ‘making things happen’!

  18. robert says:

    when we think of the con-tributions we think of the wealth of the church and now we think of the wealth of what they called their children oops thank f… they are not our parents.
    this church is but the finest example of what abuse of trust means.
    the world’s bank run by the biggest .ankers

  19. Paddy says:

    Nan. Thanks so much for your lovely message. I very much appreciate it. Paddy.

  20. Nan McDermott says:

    Paddy–just visited your outstanding site again. Concerned to read that you’re not well-wishing you strength and full recovery, in a speedy manner! Nan

  21. paddy take care of yourself. you are very important in many ways 1 as a person 2 as a website . 3 as someone who knows how to say stop .4 as someone who lets everyone feel they are not forgotten. and I barely know you xxxxxxxxxxx

  22. D M W says:

    speedy recovery paddy

  23. robert says:

    paddy please get well soon you are one heck of a fighting man with great respect for you regards robert and i am fully sure all on here

  24. Hi Paddy wishing you a speedy recovery take care.Catherine.

  25. sean morrison says:

    Hello all,
    Paddy is in hospital at the present.

    regards.
    Seanie.

  26. D M W says:

    great letter .doubt you will get an awnser

  27. Rob Northall says:

    Well Said Sinead!

    I think we have had enough of his rhetoric; what he is forgetting is he was the architect of the cover-up! He talks as if it wasn’t him but someone else?

    To start the healing process he needs to hand over the files he has to the Authorities in the Countries where these offenses took place; and these evil men can receive the Justice of that Country?

    If he doesn’t He and his Bishops should be brought to trial at “The Hague” for surely Aiding, Abetting and by knowingly moving Paedophiles into Pastoral Roles, Promoting Child Abuse must be an International Crime??

    Child Abuse must rank up there with War Crimes; Child Abuse is Mental Genocide!

    There is not Diplomatic Immunity for this one!!

  28. Sinead as always spot on.