Irish Catholicism at Defining Moment, by Michael McHugh, Irish Examiner, January 7, 2010

Irish Catholicism at Defining Moment

Irish Examiner
By Michael McHugh January 7, 2010

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/irish-catholicism-at-defining-moment-109082.html

THE Catholic Church in Ireland is at a defining moment in its history and recent child sex abuse scandals have damaged public trust in its leaders, according to Cardinal Seán Brady.

Speaking at the funeral Mass of the former Catholic Primate of all Ireland Cahal Daly, Cardinal Brady said the next steps for the Catholic Church in Ireland will be among the most critical and challenging.

"The abuse of children and its shameful mismanagement by those charged by God to protect his little ones have wrought such damage on those who were abused.

"It has caused such justified anger and outrage on the part of the faithful and damaged trust so profoundly in the integrity of the leaders of the Church.

"No one can doubt the Catholic Church in Ireland is now at a defining moment in its history."

He said the way forward required complete commitment to the path initiated by Cardinal Daly of working with the civil authorities to ensure accountability in safeguarding children.

Cardinal Brady said a stable future for the North would be the best monument to Cardinal Daly.

Cardinal Brady said his predecessor prayed tirelessly for peace: "I am certain that a reconciled, stable and sustainable future would be the best monument you could build to his memory."

Taoiseach Brian Cowen, President Mary McAleese, Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were among those who attended Requiem Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh. He died on New Year's Eve, aged 92.