IRELAND
Irish Independent
GENE KERRIGAN – 11 AUGUST 2013
It’s important to remember that only a very small percentage of Irish Catholic priests raped and abused children. Though estimates vary, there are some that put the figure as low as around 4 per cent. A lot of entirely innocent priests were subjected to unwarranted suspicion.
It’s equally important to note that the Catholic Church as an institution wholly and consistently covered up such crimes. It did so as a matter of policy, in a number of jurisdictions, repeatedly and over many years. Again and again, to sustain the reputation and maintain the political power of the church, the institution protected rapacious priests from the law and moved them to fresh fields, in which they could do further damage to children.
It says a lot for the resilience of the hierarchy that despite this disgusting record, so many of their flock remain stalwartly obedient. So much so that the Irish church retains a tight grip on education and health.
The church was caught repeatedly putting its own interests above the interests of abused children. This, surely, should have resulted in the church being immediately relieved of institutional responsibility for schools. Not out of anger, or revenge – simply as a prudent measure. To do otherwise is to gamble with the welfare of children.
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