Politicians Increase Pressure on Cardinal Brady

TV3
May 3, 2012

http://www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=71821&locID=1.2&pagename=news

Cardinal Sean Brady is coming under increasing pressure to stand down following allegations that he failed to report clerical child sexual abuse in the 1970's.

Various politicians have now called on Cardinal Brady to resign. The Taoiseach reiterated his statement this afternoon that Brady should "reflect" on his position.

The Tanaiste has added to the pressure on Cardinal Sean Brady to stand down, following allegations that he failed to report clerical child sexual abuse in the 1970's.

This morning Eamon Gilmore told the Dail that, in his view, that anyone who failed to report cases of child sexual abuse should not hold an office of high-authority in the church.

This afternoon Education Minister and party-mate of the Tanaiste, Ruairi Quinn, said that Cardinal Brady should step down following the allegations. He said that taking this position was appropriate given that the church is Patron to the vast majority of the primary schools within the country.

Several groups who work with victims - including the Irish Survivors of Child Abuse, have called for the Cardinal's resignation.

A BBC documentary claimed that Cardinal Brady knew of children who were at risk of abuse by paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth, but failed to pass on the information.

Cardinal Brady has said he won't step down, and has described the claims as "seriously misleading and untrue".