BishopAccountability.org
	Local Cleric Backs Call for Female Priests By Karen Downey The Westmeath Independent March 24, 2010 http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2010/03/24/3995809-local-cleric-backs-call-for-female-priests/ Athlone priest Fr Shay Casey has said this week that it does his head in thinking about the abuse of children by Catholic priests and the fact that more wasn't done about it. And he said the introduction of women priests would help to usher in a new era for the church. Speaking about the case where Cardinal Sean Brady oversaw two children signing a vow of silence about their abuse, Fr Shay said: "It was a horrendous case. I'm trying to get my head around why there weren't alarm bells ringing at the time." The Athlone IT chaplain made similar comments on i105107's Breakfast with Bernard and Keith last week when he told listeners: "I can't understand how Cardinal Sean Brady couldn't have done something - knowing that this was happening." Fr Shay told the Westmeath Independent that you also had to take account of the fact that Cardinal Brady was a junior guy at the time and he wasn't sure how soon after this event he went back to Rome, saying he could have presumed it had been followed up. However, he added that it appeared abuse did not seem to be viewed as such a heinous thing at the time. "It does your head in thinking about why there wasn't more done about it," he said. He said he found it hard to comprehend that priests who were saying masses and supposed to be reflecting on the gospel could be leading double lives for years. "We are only scratching the surface in trying to understand what paedophilia is about, not just in the Church, but in all aspects of society," said Fr Shay, who added that a lot of research was needed in the area to discover what it was in human nature that caused people to behave in this manner. "When the dust settles we need to look at this," he said. Speaking about the pope's letter to the people of Ireland which was read out at masses last weekend, Fr Shay said: "It's one of the many tiny steps that need to be taken." He added that Pope Benedict XVI seemed to be engaging with the people on the issue. "They're sending in the 'CAB of the Catholic Church' to investigate, it's a pity they didn't send them in 20 years ago," said Fr Shay. "I hope it's not just dressage. We have to get back to being authentic and living the gospel and doing what we're supposed to be doing. Alongside that I hope it will bring about a shake-up in the Church," said Fr Shay, saying the whole organisation of the Church needed to be changed, saying there was a need for female priests. "It's incredible in this day and age that you can deny a person the right to exercise a ministry because of their gender. It would make a big difference to the decision making process," he said. "We need a feminine influence. I pray for the day it will come, but I wouldn't hold my breath." Fr Shay said there was a need for renewal in the Church, and said this shouldn't just be about painting buildings or statues, but a profound awakening in the Church. He pointed out that working in a secular institute and working with students has meant that he has remained in touch with people on the ground.
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