THE payout last week by the Catholic Church in Ireland of quarter a million marks a new low in the matter of the abuse perpetrated by Brendan Smyth.
The out of court payout was agreed without admission of liability.
In the sacramental lexicon of Catholicism much weight is placed on the virtue of admission of sin followed by repentance in confession. The latter cannot occur without the former.
Catholic priests continue to be buffeted by the ongoing storm caused by the evil deeds of a minority of their number.
I once again extend my sympathy and support to good and decent priests who continue to bring Christ’s love to the world under the yoke of this terrible oppression.
But why the silence of the mass of ordinary priests? If ever there was a need for a priestly revolution it is now but the body of priests in Ireland is demonstrably not up for it. They cower in the shadow of a dominating hierarchy and say nothing.
I am opposed with a passion to the evil, and the stupidity that covers up evil, that are seated, almost with pride of place, at the table of the Irish Catholic Church.
The issue is relentless and the good have to meet the caring demands of each new day with what courage they can muster.
I believe, hope really, that the Sean Brady of today is possessed of a wisdom that didn’t exist at the time of the abuse-related inaction for which he has had to pay so dearly.
But immediately my hopes are dashed by the news that a Catholic bishop in the west of Ireland refused to move an offending priest away from a child-centred location in spite of his diocesan child protection committee telling him to do so.
The crowd clamour for the head of Sean Brady. Sean wants to stay and guide the Church forward. I understand both points of view.
In so many ways it is a good thing to build the future on the wisdom gained from the mistakes of the past. There is an enthusiasm there born out of deep regret.
But maybe there are things that are too badly broken to be fixed by the one who sorrows and longs for a chance to have another go.
The Cardinal’s health is far from good and none of this is helping. His first duty is to himself and maybe that and only that, is the reason for him to depart with honour.