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	Cardinal Failed to Celebrate Confirmation By Anne Campbell Drogheda Independent March 17, 2010 http://www.drogheda-independent.ie/news/cardinal-failed-to-celebrate-confirmation-2101928.html IRELAND -- CARDINAL Sean Brady failed to turn up to celebrate confirmation at the Holy Family Church yesterday ( Tuesday) as calls for his resignation grew louder. Around 80 children from the parish were expecting to be confirmed by the Catholic Primate, but their parents were informed on Monday night that Bishop Gerard Clifford would instead perform the ceremony. Mass booklets printed for the confirmation showed Cardinal Brady was expected to be the celebrant but he failed to show up. Bishop arrived by car Clifford shortly after 10.30am and went straight to the vestry. He avoided the traditional procession, which would have taken him outside the church, through the front doors and up the aisle and went through the vestry instead. Cardinal Brady's non attendance yesterday came as pressure mounts for his resignation following revelations that he didn't notify Gardai about allegations made in Dundalk in 1975 about child abuser Fr Brendan Smyth. On Tuesday, it was confirmed Fr Smyth's 14-year-old victim was from Dundalk and the meeting was held in the Dominican Friary on March 29th 1975. It is understood the allegations relate to an incident when Fr Smyth and the child were on holidays in Co Cork. A statement from the a t h o l i c C Communications Office said: 'On 29 March 1975, Fr Brady and two other priests interviewed a boy (14) in Dundalk. Fr Brady's role was to take notes. 'On 4 April 1975, Fr Brady interviewed a second boy (15) in the Parochial House in Ballyjamesduff. On this occasion Fr Brady conducted the inquiry by himself and took notes.' An abuse survivor from the North East, who wishes to be known only as 'Samantha' said she believed if Cardinal Brady had acted differently in Dundalk, Fr Smyth's abuse of her, which started in 1974, could have been stopped.
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