Taoiseach Slams Vatican, 98FM, July 20, 2011

Taoiseach Slams Vatican

98FM
July 20, 2011

http://www.98fm.com/2011/category-news-sport/taoiseach-slams-vatican/

The Taoiseach has launched a unprecidented attack on the Vatican, accusing it of trying to frustrate an inquiry in a sovereign democratic republic.

Enda Kenny says the Church must understand canon laws have neither legitimacy nor place in the affairs of this country.

In a strongly worded statement on the Cloyne report in the Dail, he called on the Vatican to clearly state it accepts all suspected cases of abuse must be reported to the Gardai.

“The rape and torture of children were downplayed or ‘managed’ to uphold instead, the primacy of the institution, its power, standing and ‘reputation,’” said the Taoiseach.

Independent TD John Halligan demanded that the Vatican’s ambassador here should be sent back to Rome. Halligan said: “Without delay, I believe the Papal Nuncio should be expelled from Ireland, because of the Vatican’s massive deceit. And our ambassador should be immediately withdrawn from the Vatican.”