BishopAccountability.org
	The Catholic Hierarchy Gathers The Irish Times December 8, 2009 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2009/1209/1224260351414.html?via=rel AS MEMBERS of the Catholic Hierarchy gather at their winter meeting in Maynooth today, the impending resignation of Bishop Donal Murray of Limerick will hang over their deliberations. The whole saga of the future of bishops criticised in the Murphy report has been a tawdry and humiliating affair. That is especially so in the case of Dr Murray where his persistent efforts to evade responsibility for behaviour described as “inexcusable” have been pathetic, as is the reaction of some members of the hierarchy who have come to regard him as a necessary sacrifice. But there can be no question of “business as usual” if these bishops eventually fall on their swords. The Ferns and Dublin reports, the deliberate cover-ups by church authorities, and the reluctance by State agencies to uphold the law of this State, all demand detailed responses and extensive reforms. The Vatican visit by Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on Friday reflects clearly where responsibility lies. Dr Murray’s failure to investigate allegations was part of a “don’t ask, don’t tell” attitude common, not just here, but around the world. That culture of silence, denial and the protection of financial assets was instituted by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, under papal authority. Relations between the Catholic Church and the State will have to change, even as churchgoers reassess the value of medieval-style structures and rules. Last week’s painfully deferential statement by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, accepting the unwillingness by the congregation and the papal nuncio to provide information to the Murphy commission, carried echoes of the bad old days. Since then Cardinal Brady has publicly criticised this exercise in official arrogance and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin has complained that the pope did not respond publicly to the Murphy report. True to form, the Vatican reacted with breathtaking contempt for the anger raised over its use of diplomatic protocol as cover: it insisted it will not comment unless such concerns are raised through diplomatic channels. Yesterday Mr Martin, following talks with the nuncio, said the latter had insisted that “the Vatican had always wanted to co-operate with the inquiry” and that “he acknowledged that he should have replied formally”. The concept of “mental reservation” springs to mind. Denials and cover-ups have come to be the hallmark of the church’s response to clerical child sex abuse. Inviting Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin to Rome to discuss “the sorrowful situation of the Irish Church” is an insult to them and to us. It represents yet another attempt to deflect responsibility, but at a higher level. Everything we have learned in recent years points to centralised Vatican direction in these matters. Canon law may be inadequate. In fact, the Murphy report suggests new powers are required to dismiss offending clerics. Our concern should involve the strict enforcement of Irish criminal law. These important matters should not be lost on the day of the harshest national Budget in our history.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.