BishopAccountability.org
	Backing Bishop Could Be Naive Irish Independent January 14, 2009 http://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/backing-bishop-could-be-naive-1601178.html THE Archbishop of Cloyne certainly has the support of his colleagues. Before Christmas, John Magee's handling of sex abuse of children in his diocese was criticised in the strongest terms by the Catholic Church's own watchdog, the National Board for Safeguarding Children. The septuagenarian has rejected calls for his retirement, or resignation, from victims groups, public representatives and priests; well, one priest. The minister with responsibility for children, Barry Andrews, has made it clear that he has no faith in the Bishop's assurances that all is now well in Cloyne and he has ordered yet another investigation. Dr Magee must have experienced a warm glow of satisfaction when he received the endorsement of the Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, yesterday. Pain was the Cardinal's theme, as he addressed priests on their annual retreat in Kerry. He acknowledged that the scandalous behaviour of some clergy had caused immense pain to the victims and their families. However, the Archbishop of Cloyne had also suffered pain. Dr Magee had "learned a painful lesson", the Cardinal said, and is the best man to ensure that the safeguarding of children is kept as a priority in the diocese. He was talking about a man who, at best, was disingenuous in his claims that all abuse allegations were handled according to agreed child protection procedures. We can only wonder whether the bishops, and now the Cardinal, realise how their naivety, if that is what it is, undermines their own dwindling authority.
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