Irish Examiner
July 14, 2011
http://www.examiner.ie/breakingnews/ireland/kenny-vatican-acted-disgracefully-on-child-protection-guidelines-512762.html
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The Vatican's unhelpful approach to clerical abuse inquiries in Ireland has been branded a disgrace by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
In the wake of the fourth damning report into the Catholic Church's cover-ups of sex attacks by priests, Mr Kenny warned that new laws would not be stopped by canon rules.
The Holy See was severely criticised over a 1997 letter which stated that child protection guidelines agreed by Irish bishops a year earlier were "merely a discussion document".
Amid deepening fallout over the inquiry into the Cloyne Diocese in Co Cork, Mr Kenny said the Government's concerns must now be dealt with.
"I think this is absolutely disgraceful that the Vatican took the view that it did in respect of something that's as sensitive and as personal with such long-lasting difficulties for persons involved," he said.
The Taoiseach was adamant that new laws of five years in jail for anyone who withholds information on child abuse will not be limited by Church rules on the Holy sacrament of confession.
"The law of the land should not be stopped by crozier, or by collar," Mr Kenny said.
"In situations where these appalling activities took place let them be reported and let the law of the land apply.
"So from that perspective, irrespective of the location or circumstance of the persons involved, this is not about Ireland of long ago, it's about the Ireland of contemporary times and it's now got to be dealt with."
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore meanwhile told the Dáil the report is a betrayal of trust; of children; and of Irish people's faith in the Catholic Church and its institutions.
He said a comprehensive legislative response will happen with laws on protecting children and obligatory reporting of abuse.
The Pope's ambassador to Ireland, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, has been summoned to a lunchtime meeting with Mr Gilmore to answer the criticisms.
Mr Gilmore says he intends to tell the Papal Nuncio that the Church has failed to protect children.
"I have already expressed concern about the findings of the report in relation to the Vatican, which in addition to being a Church authority is also a state which enjoys diplomatic relations with this country," Mr Gilmore said.
"I am meeting the Papal Nuncio later today to communicate those concerns directly to him."
Mr Gilmore also confirmed that the Dáil is to hold a special debate on the Cloyne report next week, before the House breaks for the summer.
Meanwhile, pressure was mounting on Bishop Magee to answer publicly for cover-ups of clerical abuse.
Bishop Gerard Clifford, auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Armagh, said the former Vatican aide should come forward to respond directly to the criticisms.
"I believe that Bishop Magee should have been here for the publication of this report," he said.
"I don't know where Bishop Magee is but I feel that he is the key person in all of this we are talking about failures of leadership.
"I feel that Bishop Magee should be answerable and should make himself available to the media and to all the people who want a lot of questions answered."
It is understood Bishop Magee is no longer living in Cloyne and is currently out of the country.
Responding to the report yesterday, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Dermot Clifford, apostolic administrator of Cloyne since Bishop Magee's departure, also said he wanted him to answer publicly for his actions.
"I'd be very happy if he was sitting here in this seat and it's a pity that he isn't," the archbishop said.
Socialist Party TDs Joe Higgins and Clare Daly called for the archbishop to be expelled from Ireland.
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