IRELAND
The Irish Times
Ronan McCoy Ardee, Co Louth
A Jesuit clerical student for two years Ronan is now an arts student in Galway.
“The Jesuits taught me to think for myself and reflect and made me realise I hadn’t been grown up enough to make it in an institution. I needed to step out of the establishment for a time.”
He had never thought of leaving the church until the last few weeks and the censuring of Fr Tony Flannery. He attended the conference because “even if I feel that nothing can change it’s important to come and see there are many people who are angry and want change”.
Carmel O’Connor Baldoyle, Dublin
Carmel attended the conference because “I want to support the people trying to bring about change, the people in the church trying to affect change.”
She believes “it’s absolutely wonderful that there are people prepared to speak out”.
Asked her view about Cardinal Seán Brady she said “I think for everyone’s sake Cardinal Brady would be better off standing down. That would be seen as a positive response to the situation.”
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