Support for Local Priests but Anger at Bishops, by Kitty Holland, Irish Times, November 30, 2009

Support for Local Priests but Anger at Bishops

By Kitty Holland
Irish Times
November 30, 2009

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/1130/1224259710277.html?via=rel

MASS-GOERS' REACTION: DESPITE REVULSION at the abuse of children chronicled in the Murphy report, Mass-goers in Dublin remained largely loyal to their own priests yesterday, while some directed anger at "the bishops" and the Vatican.

Desmond Howe and his wife Theresa were at 11.30am Mass at St Francis Xavier Church on Gardiner Street. They felt sorry for priests ministering today.

"But any bishop involved should resign. All credit to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin for his strength, but I'm very disappointed in other bishops," said Mr Howe.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin: circulated a letter to be read out at Masses yesterday. Mass-goers in Dublin remained largely loyal to their own priests yesterday, while some directed anger at "the bishops" and the Vatican.
Photo by Bryan O'Brien

Asked whether their faith in the the church had been affected, Ms Howe said she had never had great faith in the institution. "It's a pity they had to be forced now into the apology. And the response of Rome, well you'd expect a bit more leadership. There seems to be a lot of passing the buck."

Liam Réamonn, also at Gardiner Street, said the church was "a human organisation and open to abuse, just like the Government and the banks.

"As an institution it has betrayed the faith of the people. I hope it's a wake-up call for people. The people are strong."

Another man, in his 30s, referring to the letter from Dr Martin read out at Mass, said it was "all the right words" but added: "I do get the feeling they are only contrite now because they have to be."

On the other side of the city, at Star of the Sea Church in Sandymount, Eoin Henaghan, in his early 40s, said simply: "It shouldn't have happened. And this argument that it was a different time, I don't accept it. It wasn't a different time in terms of right and wrong."

An elderly woman rushing out into the rain at the end of 10.30am Mass said: "I can understand it putting anyone off going to Mass. It is disgusting what they did to children. And so are the people who protected them."

Derek Green, in his 50s,said his faith was shaken "in some of the bishops, particularly those who covered it up".

Asked if he would continue coming to Mass, he said he would. "You can see our priest here is very shaken and embarrassed."

A woman in her 50s said she wondered sometimes why she came to Mass. "I suppose it's been beaten into us. My husband likes coming down on a Sunday. But I am totally disgusted by it all."

At nearby St Patrick's Church in Ringsend, parishioners seemed steadfastly loyal to their church.

Asked whether his faith had been shaken, Bill O'Reilly, in his 70s, said: "No, nothing would do that." On those clerics who had abused children, or protected those who had, he said: "They'll meet their maker, like us all."

Christina Kinsella, living in the area since 1939, said the news of the past week had been "very sad". "God help our poor priests. We appreciate all our lovely priests have done in the area."

Another man, in his 50s and describing himself a "committed Catholic," said "terrible, evil things have been done" but reserved his criticism for the "media" which he said had a "very strong anti-Catholic element".

Back at Gardiner Street, Fr Donal Neary was preparing to celebrate noon Mass. It had been an "awful week, for the victims, their families and the church. What we can offer is the assurance that there are the strictest policies in place now. We can guarantee that.

"People's faith has certainly been shaken, and priests' too. We are always here if people want to come and talk about their struggles in that regard. We'll just have to get through it."