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	Holy See Must Talk to the People Irish Independent September 5, 2011 http://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/holy-see-must-talk-to-the-people-2866589.html The key point in the Vatican's reply to the sensational criticisms made by Enda Kenny last July is contained in the last paragraph. It asserts that the Holy See has always respected Ireland's sovereignty and maintained cordial relations, and "reaffirms" its commitment to constructive dialogue on the basis of mutual respect. Presumably we can expect an Irish government response in somewhat similar terms. That should set the tone for the achievement of a desirable objective, the restoration of a good relationship -- and a more equal relationship. But the Taoiseach's extraordinary July speech, and the strain between Ireland and the Vatican that has followed, arose out of a far more important issue. The clerical sex abuse scandals have horrified our own people and sullied Ireland's name around the world. Endless revelations, cover-ups and inadequate political responses have contributed to a shattering loss of faith in authority. And both church and civil authority will be harder to restore than relations with the Holy See. At the centre of the debate should be the protection of children and adolescents. How to achieve this has been the subject of argument for decades. A key part of the efforts was the laying down of guidelines by the Irish Catholic Church authorities in 1996. But the reports on inquiries into sex abuse showed clearly that the guidelines were often breached. It was therefore understandable, in the wake of the report on the Cloyne diocese, that Mr Kenny attacked not only the Irish bishops but the Vatican, which he accused of "dysfunction, elitism and narcissism" and of trying to hamper the Cloyne investigation. On the latter point, he had no evidence. The Vatican denies responsibility for the behaviour of the diocesan authorities, saying that the diocese had claimed to follow the guidelines but in reality did not. However, if the Taoiseach was mistaken on this point -- and not sufficiently aware of Irish official failures -- there was substance in his more generalised criticisms of the Holy See. The church at several levels muddied the waters on the issue of whether canon law took precedence over civil law. This, much more than genuine practical difficulties, obscured the debate on mandatory reporting of child sex abuse. The latest Vatican statement quotes a circular issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued on May 3 this year, which should clear up the issue once and for all. But the latest document is too long, its repetitions too frequent and its language too opaque. To provide certainty, the Holy See should speak the language of the people.
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