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Irish Catholic Cardinal Daly brought Pope to Ireland but utterly failed on pedophiles

By
PATRICK ROBERTS,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Saturday, January 2, 2010, 9:26 AM
Updated Saturday, January 2, 2010, 8:28 PM

 

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Cardinal Cahal Daly
Cardinal Cahal Daly

Cardinal Cahal Daly, who has died aged 92, will be remembered in equal parts as the man who brought the Catholic Church in Ireland to its highest point when Pope John Paul came to Ireland in 1979.

He will also be remembered as the man who oversaw the most rapid decline in the history of the Catholic Church in Ireland because of the pedophile crisis.

His success in bringing Pope John Paul II to Ireland was an astonishing feat. He was creating history, and an occasion that will never be forgotten. From the shrine at Knock to the open air event outside Drogheda to the mass at the Phoenix Park in Dublin, millions turned out and rediscovered their faith at a time when the modern era was bringing about slippage in mass-going numbers.

John Paul's speech at Drogheda pleading for peace in Northern Ireland was written by Daly and also was the first stirring of the peace process.

After that speech, one of Daly's priests, Father Alex Reid began the incredible task of putting together Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and SDLP leader John Hume together, thereby beginning the thread that became the tapestry of the Irish peace process.

However, the seeds of Daly's downfall were sown during that same papal visit. Among the two most prominent clerics meeting the pope were Father Michael Cleary who later was discovered to have had two children by his housekeeper, and Bishop Edward Casey who also fathered a child by an American woman, Annie Murphy.

Bad as those transgressions were, the pedophile scandal soon catapulted Daly into a much more unflattering light.

He had many dealings with the worst pedophile of all, Father Brendan Smyth, who brought down an Irish government and may play a role in the laying low of the Catholic Church.

Daly did not act decisively against Smyth, who was moved from parish to parish. He also did not head off the pedophile scandals in other parishes where he adopted a curiously hands off report.

Too late, he realized the damage but by that time it had run rampant through the church.

Daly died at the nadir of the church's influence in Ireland, with four bishops forced to resign in the latest chapter. Daly will be remembered as a transitional figure, the last primate of all Ireland who had the clout to have his doctrines unchallenged. He brought the pope and saved the church but may well have also sown the seeds of its downfall.

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Posted by kickstar on Mar 16, 2010, 12:46 AM EDT
Well done 'wizardofoz' I use to work all day in fields wiy people who spoke exactly like that.And then in the een we'd git a wee drap o somethin to slake oor druith. An hay yin oor twa. I'm a Moyle lad mysell When living in London years ago I borrowed a book from Tower Hamlets Library in the East End A Book of poetry by Rabbie Burns and right there you could see where the Glens twang came fre...Don't be a stranger lad Happy Patricks Day maybe one of these days we might have a wee dram of the ould Bush somewhere more familiar.
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Posted by wizardofoz on Jan 06, 2010, 12:52 AM EST
To a Hedgehog. Thou grimmest far o grusome tykes Grubbin thy food by thorny dykes Gude faith, thou disna want for pikes Baith sharp an rauckle; Thou looks (Lord save’s) arrayed in spikes, A creepin heckle Sure nick begat thee, at the first, On some auld whin or thorn accurst; An some horn-fingered harpie nurst The ugly urchin; Then Belzie, laughin like to burst, First caad thee Hurchin. Fowk tell how thou, sae far frae daft, Whan wind-faan fruit be scattered saft, Will row thysel wi cunning craft An bear awa Upon thy back, what fares thee aft, A day or twa. But whether this account be true Is mair than I will here avow; If that thou stribs the outler cow, As some assert, A pretty milkmaid, I allow, Forsooth thou art. Now creep awa the way ye came, And tend your squeakin pups at hame; Gin Golly should oerhear the same, It might be fatal, For you, wi aa the pikes ye claim, Wi him to battle.
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Posted by wizardofoz on Jan 06, 2010, 12:44 AM EST
Thanks Kickstart, unfortunately the ‘gene’ containing bravery and intrepidity past me by, thankfully, maybe I can live to a ripe old age. Here’s a wee pome I’m not too sure of the poet's name I have been advised he is Samuel Thompson (a weaver from the 19th century) anyhow I love it it’s in the ‘Lalllans’ or lowlands Scots, Burrrrrrns tongue, which I consider a idiom as apposed to a language. That idiom being a branch of the great Lallans tree, which still flourishes across the Moyle. Call it what you will dialect, parlance, locution, idiomatic expression, whatever, the poetry is sweet and warm. I don’t know how this format on (Irish Centra)l will handle poetry it appears it is rather more suited to rambling dialog with no ability available to form paragraphs or phrasing allowed it would seem the syntax ends up as one long meander, if that be the case no one will make hide nor hair of it. Anyhow, I shall post it on its own and see how it goes.
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Posted by Watereskhill on Jan 06, 2010, 12:39 AM EST
This is an absolute disgrace. A Cardinal is embalmed and on display in his box and the only talk is of car racing and nipples.
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Posted by kickstar on Jan 04, 2010, 09:45 PM EST
'wizardofoz' Well its nice to hear from a fellow Glensman and I agree 100% with your great post, Of course I know Armoy Armoy Glen Ballycastle etc. You know some of the best Craic I ever had was around that part of the world,It's Absolutely Mind Numbing to think that all of these Kings of Road Racing are Gone, I was in Ireland when Robert was killed, And his son is now competing, You have some powerful Genes there lad if you are a cousin of the Dunlops, My first love was a Girl called Dunlop from Ballymena....Wow the passion,By all means lad post some Ulster Scot poetry Me and you sing of the same hymn sheet anyway, God Bless You.
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Posted by manhattan on Jan 04, 2010, 12:53 PM EST
Portia777 what in God's Name is wrong with you? You are one sick nut case. "The Jesuits cut off the nipples on Women in Vietnam because they are buddists". Also, your rants against U.S. Using the airport in Ireland and your good wishes to your brothers and sisters in iraq and afganistan, If you meant the terroists who been bombing us for the past 20 years and the ultimate murder of 3000 people on 9/11-I invite you to New York and I will personally take you to a firehouse and you can repeat your anti american views to them Also, we can visit a Jesuit institution and you can repeat the "nipple ".story to them. Your a coward who spouts your bile annymously. Invitation is on .
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Posted by wizardofoz on Jan 04, 2010, 08:23 AM EST
Hello Kickstar, I too am a Glensman, and Joey was a first cousin of mine, though Ballymoney claimed him Joey was born and bred a few miles outside the town in an adjoining village, (Armoy) gateway to the Glens. From this little village came some of the greatest road racers Ireland has ever produced. They were known as the ‘Armoy Armada’ Frank Kennedy, Mervyn Robinson and the one and only Joey, King of the road! Also, Joey’s little brother Robert ‘Mr Fearless’ Sadly all four were killed in TT races, only for the brave and courageous, these guys are the modern day gladiators, death is but a step away. And yes, you are correct, the Glens folk are staunch nationalist, but to me a prod, they are the salt of the earth. Would I be right in thinking you might be a Glensman also? If you are interested I can post some Ulster Scot poetry simple yet rich, warm and ever so gentle.
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Posted by barneyjo on Jan 04, 2010, 08:02 AM EST
Portia777.If you know that the Jesuits behaved in this way then it is a good thing that you should share this with the world. In the current climate, I will not dismiss any claim where there is evidence to support and show fact. Anyone who would do such a thing will answer for their actions sooner or later. Thank you for your insight. That of course doesnt take away from the fact that there were many good missionary priests who lost their lives in the course of their ministry.
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Posted by wizardofoz on Jan 03, 2010, 10:08 PM EST
Jacersisityourself, kickstar merely articulates that which many think. I am in full agreement with his opinions. Thousands and thousands of children’s childhood robed from them at the hands of those charged with their care and well being is unforgivable! Absolutely! And the Vatican’s only response was to cover it up. It is incredible that this mob of villains, who were charged with preaching the gospels, at no time did they believe a word they were saying. They, and those who protected them, are an abomination in the eyes of God! The church you serve is an abhorrence to all that is good and decent. It goes to prove this crowd of felons are nothing more than deceitful money hungry liars in whom no truth is to be found. The pope ignores this problem because he knows he himself is as guilty as any of the bishops he has forced to resign. As Truman said the ‘buck stops here’ the decked out and bejewelled one should resign forthwith! But he won’t, which is why your church is rotten from the head down. It’s just that now a light has been shown on the evil within and exposed the filth like a brassy whore who dowses herself in cheap perfume to hide the stink so too the Vatican. It is obvious you are a man of faith and I have sympathy for your predicament no doubt there are others in the same situation. Your church needs a long overdue clean out starting at the top.
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Posted by kickstar on Jan 03, 2010, 09:54 PM EST
Cardinal Daly was a Glensman who came from Loughgiel a Hurling mad area of the Nine Glens of Antrim about 10 miles from Cushendall where His Nephew is Currently the Parish Priest.And about 8 or so miles from Ballymoney made famous by the motorcycle ace Joey Dunlop,He was fairly typical of the people you would find in that part of the world he was wirey and tough. Most people would need an interpreter to understand the folks from Loughgiel as they speak a dialect which some claim today as being a language they call Ulster Scots.I am sure there will be a large contingent from this part at any public function to do with his funeral and Memorial.
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Posted by Portia777 on Jan 03, 2010, 05:30 PM EST
barneyjo Priests are killed in their Ministry all over the world (which includes Ireland you know) My late uncle was a member of an Irish Missionary Order (The Columbans) which had countless members of their order butchered by Communists in China, by Japanese Forces during WWII," I know of the Jesuit priests in Vietnam who cut the nipples of all girls they came across- 800 in one capm alone- simply because their parents were Buddhist.
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Posted by Portia777 on Jan 03, 2010, 05:26 PM EST
"His success in bringing Pope John Paul II to Ireland was an astonishing feat." I thought he came by plane.
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Posted by jacersisityourself on Jan 03, 2010, 04:55 PM EST
kickstar needs to see an anger management consultant - preferably one who actually heals. Anyone like to suggest one? Give ph nos, email etc? I have one name - Jesus Christ. Also contactable thru' the Pope here: benedictxvi@vatican.va >>> Go ahead kickstar, all yours to cast your rants on. Pls let us know the replies you get.
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Posted by kickstar on Jan 03, 2010, 04:08 PM EST
'Carroll09' What this discussion is about is not acts of violence against priests or in Protestant homes!! and I don't know how it got there. What I am posting about is the Sustained and Deliberate Physical and Sexual Abuse of Women Children and Babies in the 26 county state and the More Reticent but Similar Abuse by Priests Brothers and Nuns in the 6 county state, More Careful because the Roman Catholic church did not have such a powerful influence in the 6 counties. For example if one were abused one could have walked into an RUC Station and would have found officers only too glad to investigate an allegation against a priest Whereas in the 26 Counties it would have been Quickly swept under the Rug as History has Proven. Countless abuses were carried out by these men in skirts, And how anyone can imagine that these Perverts and their Perverted Church is in any way Godly This Church attracts only the Disdain and Anger of God Which is why at this time he has shone a light on the perverse cloistered entrails that encapsulates this unholy horror.
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Posted by Carroll09 on Jan 03, 2010, 03:21 PM EST
With all due respect, barneyjo, I do not condone any cover-ups which took place, nor indeed, the acts of abuse themselves. I was merely responding to what I saw as an irrational response from another poster - abuse took place on both sides of the border in both Catholic and Protestant homes and churches and nothing cancels out or justifies these acts. I stand over my remarks, but I am in no way comparing (or condoning) acts of violence in Northern Ireland with abuse by some clergy in various dioceses.
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Posted by barneyjo on Jan 03, 2010, 12:25 PM EST
A further thought for anyone who is interested; Chris Moore, Betrayal of Trust: The Father Brendan Smyth Affair and the Catholic Church (Marino, 1995) ISBN 186023027X
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Posted by barneyjo on Jan 03, 2010, 12:22 PM EST
Come off it Carroll09. Priests are killed in their Ministry all over the world (which includes Ireland you know) My late uncle was a member of an Irish Missionary Order (The Columbans) which had countless members of their order butchered by Communists in China, by Japanese Forces during WWII, and even by Bandits, brigands and drug addicts in missions across the world. Bishop (then Father) Daly put his life on the line to be with the people during bloody sunday. If you want to deal with the acknowledged injustices that were inherent within the Northern Ireland State that is fine, but do not use that as an excuse to justify the reckless mis-management and consequent cover-ups in any diocese within Northern Ireland, much less anywhere else. A damaged body or a broken soul wont be limited by a territorial boundary.
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Posted by Carroll09 on Jan 03, 2010, 09:14 AM EST
Too right they always had to keep an eye over their shoulder - for fear that they'd be murdered (as several were) by anti-Catholic bigots, or that they'd have their homes torched by a loyalist mob, their flock being denied work because of their religion, and generally being treated like scum by the powers-that-be...Yes, the clergy and the Catholic faithful were certainly better off in Northern Ireland.
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Posted by kickstar on Jan 03, 2010, 08:40 AM EST
Thank God for the Protestants in Northern Ireland that prevented the catholic church from running wild doing what they wanted like they did in the Free State, The catholic clergy in the North had to always keep an eye over their shoulder they didn't run that state.and control the politicians and courts etc.
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Posted by KathyCallahan on Jan 02, 2010, 03:53 PM EST
Did Patrick Roberts get it wrong here: that Cahal Daly had many dealings with the worst pedophile of all, Father Brendan Smyth, who brought down an Irish government and may play a role in the laying low of the Catholic Church. Daly did not act decisively against Smyth, who was moved from parish to parish. He also did not head off the pedophile scandals in other parishes where he adopted a curiously hands off report. If Cahal Daly moved Smythe from parish to parish his behavior is more revealing and illuminating than curious.
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Posted by Carroll09 on Jan 02, 2010, 10:50 AM EST
Firstly, it's EAMON Casey, not Edward Casey. This report does not bear witness to the facts - Cardinal Daly retired in 1996 when Ireland was only seeing the tip of the iceberg with regard to abuse cases. Cardinal Daly publicly apologised for the terrible crimes of some priests, and in 1996 he vowed that there would be no cover up or cult of secrecy. We cannot judge Cardinal Daly on the details which emerged later - if he had been aware of the full scale of clerical sex abuse, it would have been naive in the extreme for him to have remarked that the country would be facing a tough and distressing two or three years!
 


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