BishopAccountability.org
	Tin Ear and Perfect Pitch National Survivor Advocates Coalition November 7, 2011 http://nationalsurvivoradvocatescoalition.wordpress.com/editorials/ Cardinal Bernard Law, who escaped prosecution in the clergy and religious sisters sexual abuse scandal but was rewarded with palatial digs at a basilica that is Vatican ground in Rome celebrated his 80th birthday on Friday at a party with 80 to 100 invited guests at a ritzy Roman hotel. To say this is yet more evidence of a tin ear by the hierarchy of this Church is to insult tin. What it is evidence of is the real attitude of the hierarchy of this Church no matter how many pro forma apologies get said. We all have birthdays and most of us and our friends know how to appropriately celebrate them. Law should get down on his knees in gratitude that he wasn’t spending his 80th birthday in prison instead of hosting a bash laden with the finest meats and choicest wines. Law still sits on the Curia Congregation for Bishops and continues to make bishops in his own image. He will continue to hold this post. No pontiff’s hand has been raised again honoring him or allowing him to continue in prestigious and powerful posts. Turning 80 only bars from having a vote in the next conclave. While this Irishman was again insulting victims with a public, lavish thumb your nose at them while you eat cake spread, theRepublicofIrelandstruck perfect pitch in closing its Embassy to the Holy See. The Irish governmental diplomatically said that it took the step because of finances but all the world knows why it closed its doors to diplomatic relations with theVatican: hundreds upon hundreds of its children were raped, sodomized and physically and spiritually abused by those in positions of authority in the church. In a most dramatic way on the world stageIrelandhas proclaimed again as its Prime Minister did in July: Children First. The Cardinal Primate of Ireland Sean Brady expressed his great “disappointment” at the Irish government’s action. He said, “This decision seems to show little regard for the important role played by the Holy See in international relations and of the historic ties between the Irish people and the Holy See over many centuries.” Let us begin and end with the “little regard” that cardinals and bishops inIrelandshowed for those molested and remember that it was theVatican’s ambassador who refused to testify before the Irish government’s panels when it investigated the abuse. It is high time that the Church was clearly, plainly and forthrightly instructed – as it has now been by the Irish government – that its ethical voice no longer has gravity. We noted as well that Cardinal Brady did not even raise so much as a “disappointment” comment on the news that his brother bishops inGermanyare up to their miters in the business of publishing erotica and pornography. Fraternal correction, will you please stand up. Only the withdrawal of money will change these actions and responses. We suggest Catholics begin by re-routing their Christmas collections to coffers that do not throw birthday bashes for those lucky enough to escape prison, those who cannot see or accept that they are being chastised for concealment of crimes, and those who are actively involved in the exploitation of adults and children through pornography. — Kristine Ward, Chair, National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) Contact: KristineWard@hotmail.com, 937-272-0308
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.