BishopAccountability.org
	Taoiseach Strongly Criticises Vatican over Abuse By Deborah Condon Irish Health July 21, 2011 http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=19511 The Vatican has been severely criticised by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, for its handling of the sexual abuse of children in the diocese of Cloyne. Last week, the Cloyne Report revealed that some 40 people were affected by clerical sexual abuse in the area of Cork up to as recently as 2009. It found that the Catholic Church's handling of allegations was poor or non-existent, even accusing one bishop, Bishop John Magee, of deliberately misleading the authorities and taking little interest in dealing with this issue until as late as 2008. However, the Taoiseach's comments in the Dail about the scandal are seen as unprecedented as a leader of this country has never spoken out against the Catholic Church in such strong terms. He said that following the publication of the Ryan and Murphy Reports, Ireland had perhaps become 'unshockable' when it came to the subject of child abuse. Yet Cloyne, he insisted, 'has proved to be of a different order'. "For the first time in Ireland, a report into child sexual abuse exposes an attempt by the Holy See to frustrate an inquiry in a sovereign, democratic republic, as little as three years ago, not three decades ago. In doing so, the Cloyne Report excavates the dysfunction, disconnection, elitism and the narcissism that dominate the culture of the Vatican to this day. "The rape and torture of children were downplayed or managed to uphold instead, the primacy of the institution, its power, standing and reputation," Mr Kenny said. He acknowledged that there is little he can say to comfort the victims of abuse, adding that it will take a long time for Cloyne 'to recover from the horrors uncovered'. Mr Kenny noted that following a meeting with the Tanaiste, Eamon Gilmore, the Papal Nuncio agreed to present the Cloyne Report to the Vatican and the Government is now awaiting its 'considered response'. "I believe that the Irish people, including the very many faithful Catholics who, like me, have been shocked and dismayed by the repeated failings of church authorities to face up to what is required, deserve and require confirmation from the Vatican that they do accept, endorse and require compliance by all church authorities here, with the obligations to report all cases of suspected abuse, whether current or historical, to the State's authorities in line with the Children First National Guidance which will have the force of law." Mr Kenny pointed out that this latest scandal must be 'devastating for good priests'. He also noted that as a practicing Catholic, 'I don't say any of this easily'. "Growing up, many of us in here learned we were part of a pilgrim church. Today, that church needs to be a penitent church. A church, truly and deeply penitent for the horrors it perpetrated, hid and denied," he insisted. Mr Kenny also pointed out that 'if the Vatican needs to get its house in order, so does the State'. "We are set to embark on a course of action to ensure the State is doing all it can to safeguard our children. Justice Minister Shatter is bringing forward two pieces of legislation - firstly, to make it an offence to withhold information relating to crimes against children and vulnerable adults and secondly, at long last, to allow for the exchange of 'soft information' on abusers. "As Taoiseach, I want to do all I can to protect the sacred space of childhood and to restore its innocence."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.