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(This statement was issued following revelations in March 2010 that
in 1975, acting in his capacity as a canon lawyer, Cardinal Sean Brady
had conducted an investigation of abuse allegations regarding the
clerical abuser Brendan Smyth. The allegations had not been
reported to the civil authorities at the time, and Smyth had continued his career of
abuse for a further 18 years.)
Cardinal Sean Brady's failure to challenge the culture of church silence
surrounding clerical child sexual abuse in the period 1975-1994 is a
most serious matter and leaves the Irish Catholic church without a
leader in whom survivors especially can have full confidence.
Noting the decision of Bishop Moriarty of Kildare and Leighlin to offer
his resignation because he had failed to challenge the culture of cover
up in the Archdiocese of Dublin in the period 1975-2004, and noting also
Cardinal Brady's own declaration on December 5th, 2009 that he would
resign if he thought that any failure of his to act had caused a child
to suffer, we cannot understand why he believes he should not now
resign.
The reason that there were no child protection guidelines in the church
until survivors themselves eventually instigated criminal proceedings in
1994 was that no Catholic churchman had challenged the culture of
silence in preceding decades. It is now clear that the primate of the
Irish Catholic Church was himself compromised by that culture.
Unquestionably much suffering resulted, suffering which could have
been prevented if churchmen like Cardinal Brady had acted differently.
So far under Cardinal Brady's leadership the Irish Conference of Bishops
has failed to acknowledge or address the extreme spiritual suffering
that results from clerical child sex abuse. There has even been an
attempt to evade blame for the church cover up by arguing that denial
was a widespread social problem. This is to deny that it is the
church's special role to provide moral leadership and spiritual care.
We cannot understand why Cardinal Brady believes he can now provide the
leadership that is needed to draw a line under all that has happened,
and to capture the enthusiasm of all Catholics - survivors especially -
for the programme of recovery that is now so greatly needed. We ask him
to explain why he thinks he can do so. |
VOTF™
Mission Statement
To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit,
through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance
and guidance of the Catholic Church.
Our Goals
1. To support
survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
2. To support priests of integrity
3.To shape structural change within the Catholic Church.
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