The report states that the Commission has no doubt that clerical child abuse was covered up by the Archdiocese of Dublin and other church authorities.
It states that the structures and rules of the church facilitated that cover-up. It also says that State authorities facilitated the cover up by allowing the church to be beyond the reach of the law.
It claims that the welfare of children, which should have been the first priority, was not even a factor considered in the early days by State and church authorities.
The preservation of the good name, status and assets of church institutions was the first priority, according to the report, which states that priests were seen as the most important members of the institution.
The Commission says that it has identified 320 people who complained of child sexual abuse during the period 1975-2004.
This is the [url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1126/abuse.html]link[/url] for the headline.
[Thanks Jeremy – Link now fixed – Elf]
The photos are a stunning rogue’s gallery not usually seen in a police line-up.
better if a millstone…..
I have to wonder if this follows similar patterns of the sex abuse scandal in the U.S.. Were the majority of these cases actually about pedophilia or were most of the victims adolescent males?
Not that it excuses the behavior of the church hierarchy or government officials but screaming pedophilia when it is not makes it rather difficult to be honest about the cause and solution to the problem. I am also curious as to the overall percentage of priests so accused.
And I have a feeling that most institutions secular or religious would if subject to such an investigation would yield very similar results. I am thinking specifically about schools.
And it has to be remembered that in all these cases the priests and bishops were violating both Canon Law and Catholic Moral teaching. That is why it so important now that the Church speak out against those who do so now. She shut her mouth one time to avoid the appearance of discontent within the ranks and to protect her image. She did so at great cost to the innocent. And at great cost to the mission of the Church which foremost must be the Gospel.
I think we are seeing a great upheavel right now which will not only leave the Church smaller but leave her more concerned with the souls of the faithful then with her standing in the world. This scandal is in my mind a gift from God. For He chastises those He loves.