Taoiseach Comments on Vatican 'Undeserved' – Newstalk Survey

The Newstalk
February 28, 2012

www.newstalk.ie/2012/news/taoiseach-comments-on-vatican-undeserved-newstalk-survey/


A survey of Catholic Priests has found 2/3 felt the criticism by Taoiseach Enda Kenny of the Vatican in the wake of the Murphy Report was undeserved.

The poll was carried out by the Moncrieff Show on Newstalk.

It was submitted to 320 priests nationwide with 114 responding.

63% believed the Vatican had handled clerical sex abuse cases poorly.

While 65% said the abuse scandals has damaged the reputation of all priests.

And 79% of them said their confidence in RTÉ had been damaged by the Fr. Kevin Reynolds libel case.

On the issue of the Dáil speech by Enda Kenny in the wake of the Murphy Report 75% of the priests surveyed felt it was undeserved.

Some also branded it "outrageous", "inappropriate and adolescent".

64% of respondents said they feel they and the Catholic Church are unfairly portrayed in the media.

When asked if the handling of abuse cases in the church has altered their faith 23% say it has.