Boston Globe defends Irish govt in church battle over sex abuse

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Cardinal Sean O'Malley

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An editorial in the Boston Globe says that the Vatican still has a lot to learn when it comes to repairing the damage caused by the numerous sex-abuse scandals in both Ireland and in the United States.

After Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny condemned the Catholic Church's handling of abuse allegations, the Vatican recalled its ambassador. Then, Justice Minister Alan Shatter proposed a law that would require priest to report suspicions of child abuse, even if learned through confessions.

Ireland took an aggressive stance after the release of the Cloyne report. The Globe editorial says that the church's defensiveness and legalistic responses have not helped to quell Ireland's fury over the controversy.

The Boston Globe went on further to contrast the Irish government's efforts with that of Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who has had to work to repair the damage that scandal caused in the Boston archdiocese.

"The diplomatic dispute with Ireland suggests that the Vatican is still focusing too much on its own institutional concerns and not enough on mending broken spirits," says the editorial.

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