56 Comments

• Scarlettkp | Mar 12, 2011, 11:22 PM EST

  The church was extremely abusive to me as an adult. I really believed this is what the Priests should have done for me. Yet they sat there and washed one another's feet. I'm sorry but it's not enough. I'll believe their sorry when I get a phone call and a real apology.. Many in my family died for the church and they can't even be friendly...give me a break!! I was abused by a non-Priest and had terrible PTSD and the Priests treated me like a personal affront to the Priesthood. They should have taken the opportunity to do something positive. Even the parishioners were cruel to me. So others are very much involved. The admini yes- they are involved. I'm glad it's so transparent...the programs to help victims..they are there to just cover up even more dirt. The victims that speak out are thrown out..! I WAS there.

• Bernadett | Mar 08, 2011, 01:31 PM EST

  Washing feet,ha ha ,What about there dirty linen??.

• STUMPTOWN | Feb 24, 2011, 10:35 AM EST

  And the remark on history, I ask you of Ireland, who was the first person to ask England to invade Ireland? P.S. The good Cardinal O'Malley knows that the courts in the USA do not play games and the damages cost by the law suits are very high compare to Ireland.

• Intercessor | Feb 24, 2011, 07:44 AM EST

  Jesus clearly taught, "My kingdom is NOT of this world." He also taught, "The kingdom of God is WITHIN." By the third century when "government" of the Church was taken over by Constantine, who controlled Rome and the Papacy, Rome was made the Earthly Kingdom of God and knowledge of the true Spiritual Kingdom of God went out the window, and "Rules of Men," took over. Unfortunately, the men, who were making the "Rules" for all of us to follow weren't too bright and their spirituality was definitely in question. Today, the world over, we are experiencing the damage that Canon Law, the laws of man, have made. Rulers, whether in the Church or in Government always protect themselves first. Over the last decade the Laity has had their eyes opened by the exposure of generations of coverups. The world has seen how the Irish Hierarchy, as well as the Vatican, has treated the ONLY Archbishop, who has tried to make genuine changes and root out those responsible for generations of spiritual abuse. And what has it gotten him . . . the hate of those he has exposed, right up to the Vatican!

• dingle999 | Feb 24, 2011, 07:05 AM EST

  ohmygosh "They ARE trying to repair the damage done, best they can.". Pope John Paul the idiot knew about the problem and yet he did nothing. May he rot in hell Gearoid4 "I would urge those people on further reflection to hang in there as it is in times of crisis that the true mettle of our faith is tested" Yeah I still believe in Santa Claus George Dillon "I think of the thopusands of martyred priests in the Ireland of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, tortured and murdered by England and its agents. " Get your history correct i.e The Catholic Church in the 19th century was on the side of the British govt

• ronnie4u2o | Feb 24, 2011, 01:16 AM EST

  I Say send Cardinal O'malley Packing back to the States he can't control the church there & and let the Irish Catholics take control of their Church & not corrupt Rome. Time for a Rebirth of the church!!

• Prevailer | Feb 23, 2011, 05:51 PM EST

  That poll is general in the sense that this good man our archbishop is not the church as a whole. He is the representative and is one man. The church needs to defrock the hierarchy that preferred to serve themselves in lieu of protecting its children. They the apostles of Rome need to ask for forgiveness in concert as in a proclamation. Then these shepards must ask for their flock to come back, and if so gain great indulgences toward their spiritual healings. AMEN.

• eiriamach | Feb 23, 2011, 05:27 PM EST

  Gearoid4, thanks for the reply. I do not disagree with what you wrote, really, although I think Jacersagain has a good point also about the abuse victims doing the symbolic washing to make the Bishop worthy of standing in the cathedral. Isn't the foot-washing ceremony in the Rule of St. Benedict (I don't have a copy here)? The abbot would wash the feet of pilgrims who'd traveled to the monastery?

• eiriamach | Feb 23, 2011, 05:17 PM EST

  Bernadett, I read the speech at dublindiocese[dot]ie, under "Archbishop's talks..." In terms of church structure, he can't imagine any change. There's still the imperial papacy, centered in Rome and calling the tune about training Catholics to be "witnesses to the truth of the gospel" when they deal with political issues. So while he has accepted separation of church and state and loss of Catholic identity of most Irish schools, he seems to think of the laity doing the work of keeping Irish law and policies conforming to Catholic doctrine, just as bishops did in the past. This is not a way of dealing with cultural diversity or instability in economy or politics; it's a way of resisting change. He says, "Reform in the Church is not in the first place about the redistribution of power, but about the redefinition of power in terms of the way in which Jesus revealed who God is." What does this mean? The people seem to be saying--or shouting--that reform must be about redistributing power as well as redefining how the hierarchy exercises power. I think he's trying to be a kind of buffer between a controlling Vatican and the Irish people, who are searching for a way to have God in their lives, and he does not realize that when he tries to reconcile those two things, he ends up defending authority and manipulating the people. His sadness shows. He admits that in Dublin "the presence at Sunday Mass is some 5% of the Catholic population and, in some cases, even below 2%." To keep the church relevant, he needs to rethink from the bottom up, rather than from the top down. He should listen to the 95% who are absent, who are not resistant to change as he believes, but more able to envision change than he is.

• sirpeter | Feb 23, 2011, 01:59 PM EST

  @Mavaureen..Is that a trick question? Sounds very loaded to me..You wouldn't be trying to lead me into some trap would you? ;)

• Mavaureen | Feb 23, 2011, 12:10 PM EST

  @sirpeter I'm just awondering...are you a clergyman or a lawyer?

• Bernadett | Feb 23, 2011, 09:45 AM EST

  Archbishop Martin, has spoken out yesterday in Camebridge.uk. What are your opinions on what he had to say?

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• FromPhoenix | Feb 23, 2011, 12:56 AM EST

  Why are the Irish courts, backed by the Catholic Church, refusing to extradite Fr. Patrick Colleary back to the US to stand trial for sex abuse crimes?

• sirpeter | Feb 22, 2011, 11:23 PM EST

  @barneyjo..I agree with everything you say. I was really only talking about the human psyche and the difficulties the Catholic church face when it comes to the "failings" of human beings.There is alot of anger out there and people ARE voting with their feet. I just think the worst that will happen, is the Church will be more marginalized then it was in Ireland, as it is now in some countries in Europe.While the church is concerned with falling numbers and lack of vocations in Ireland. Judging by it's actions it appears to me, they don't seem to be to concerned.That's if you want to make a judgment by their action's. There is over a billion Catholics worldwide and most alot more devoted to Catholicism then in first world countries. Poverty and war make some great believers,as the old saying goes..There isn't any atheists in foxholes. People go to church for themselves anyway. Personally I can't work up any anger against it all.I guess it's because I knew clerical abuse was happening 40 years ago and the cover ups don't come as a big surprise to me. Double standards? Another natural condition of the human species. Thou shalt not kill. As the pope raises another army to fight another European country. Double standards? History is full of Double Standards...Government's?..We'll bring you freedom,but we'll bomb you back to the stone age first..To be honest I have lost trust in everybody a long time ago except family and 5 or 6 trusted friends. I'm not sure where i have my blinker's on,maybe you feel I'm not outraged enough..but don't tell me..I have seen enough lol. Still I have hope...I guess you could say..I have pessimism of the mind and an optimism of the heart.

• Searlit | Feb 22, 2011, 10:20 PM EST

  Very well said, Jacersagain.

• barneyjo | Feb 22, 2011, 07:40 PM EST

  {contd] the scandal around clerical abuse has I believe, indirectly opened up the Catholic church to even greater scrutiny by its own members. And, if I am typical, then I believe many do not like what they see. They do not like the double standards used by the Vatican when the rules of the Church are bent to make way for disaffected Clergy and members of the Church of England who are seeking communion with the Catholic Church. when the Holy Father promises that they can retain their rites and traditions, which would include the right for their Clergy to remain married. In this case the very notion of "Catholic", implying a univrsality for all, goes out the window. Christ himself said as much; "A house divided against itself shall not stand" (Matthew 12:25)

• barneyjo | Feb 22, 2011, 07:27 PM EST

  @sirpeter - I mean no disrespect when I say that I regard your views expressed here as "blinkered" I think you rightly say that it is iherent in the human psyche to seek a spiritual plane in the physical world, and that people will go to some lengths to get this. For many people, including myself, who were raised in the Catholic faith, the recent exposure of the Churches failings in practicing what it preaches in general, and the treatment of the survivors of Clerical abuse in particular, have called into question for many, including myself, the validity of that spiritual guidance (or elements of it) offered within Catholicism. You will get no argument from me as to the lack of morality in many sections of the media;however, I have to acknowledge that were it not for the efforts of Investigative Journalists, the Catholic Faithful across the world may never have known about how its own leaders failed so miserably in acknowledging and addressing the horror of clerical abuse in its own midst. I can only speak for myself when I say that I am not being led by the nose by the Media, in my thoughts and responses to all that has happened, and by extension, I assume that a good many others are not either. In large measure you may be right when you say that the Church Body will change in its own good time; the problem in that for the Church is that, in Ireland where I live, a large section of the Faithful are not prepared to accept the pace of change and will vote with their feet and leave the church to its own fate.

• jacersagain | Feb 22, 2011, 03:42 PM EST

  There is something really awful bothering me about this act of Cardinal O’Malley and Archbishop Martin in washing the feet of people who were abused - and about the comments of some posters too, I'd add. If I want to make Holy Communion with Christ, the Church teaches me that I should first repent, then wash myself, and particularly my feet, to prepare and make myself worthy to approach the altar of God to receive the Body & Blood of Christ. Isn't that why Jesus washed the feet of his disciples – to prepare and make THEM clean and worthy to receive His Body & Blood for the first time at that ‘Last' Supper?....... While it might appear that Jesus was showing them that he was like a humble servant to them, He was really showing them that they should not be arrogant masters. Christ said to Simon Peter, who protested to Christ as He was a about to wash his feet: “If I do not wash you, you have no part of Me”. To which Peter then said “...Lord, then not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!" >>> I put it that this act in Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral should have been carried out the other way around... the Abused People participating in that Mass should have been washing the feet of Card’l O’Malley & A/Bshp Martin to MAKE THEM - on behalf of abusing priests and a truly repentant Church - CLEAN AND WORTHY to make Holy Communion with Christ. I think it was rather presumptuous of the Cardinal and A/Bishop to assume the place of Christ when it was the Abused People in front of the Church representatives who were offering forgiveness and reconciliation to THEM.

• Gearoid4 | Feb 22, 2011, 01:59 PM EST

  @eiriamach, Hospitality of course is central to washing the feet as it is a clear sign of welcome to those to whom the gesture is intended. But in the case of the rite of penitence in Dublin, I think that there was a healthy element of shame. The fact it was two high church-men who washed the feet of victims of clerical child sex-abuse demonstrates a symbolic sign of humility and sorrow. They cannot undo the original crimes suffered by victims but Sunday's ceremony was a start of a conscientious search for forgiveness and rehabilitation on the part of the Dublin Archdiocese. Hopefully this will apply to the whole Irish Church in general.

• sirpeter | Feb 22, 2011, 12:42 PM EST

  People need to be realist about the Catholic church too. This is a massive power structure.In this part of our human evolution,people demand these organizations.The vast majority still want spiritual guidance,and people will stop at nothing to get it. In reality the only thing that is empowering the victims is the media. The Church knows that as soon as people become desensitized to the scandals and interest wanes,the media will search for new scandals. The media isn't highlighting all these church scandals for the good of the victims. The media hasn't a moral bone in it's body. Communism tried to kill religion..it failed miserably.They are all practicing Catholic's and other religions again.Whatever changes the Catholic church will make,they will make them when they are good and ready. When you have 30% of the American population still believing in creationism and the rest of the world not much better. The genuine active catholic church bashers have their work cut out for them.

• sirpeter | Feb 22, 2011, 11:49 AM EST

  ballyhip..If you read my post and understand the point's I'm trying to convey. The Catholic Church knows certain people are pedophiles..It is something they had to live with for 2000 years,just as corruption in governments are something we have to live with,and you can shout all you want about stopping it,but it's not going happen. The Church always knew there was pedophilia in the church,just as the government knows their is corruption. The only people who didn't acknowledge it..were the lay people,except the victims,but that was after the fact. Like a government they only speak to the lay person when the lay person get's uppity about it. Same as the Church. It's not for me to tell the Catholic Church which is the way forward..I don't know..Just the same as i don't how to get rid of corruption out of government's either. It's not a matter of taking sides..You tell me...Hanging them all might sound good to some..But it's just not an option. If you read my feckin' bible on the matter,you can see I have reflected.Look Corruption and Child abuse is a part of life. You tell me what you think and I will listen.

• sirpeter | Feb 22, 2011, 11:04 AM EST

  Bernadett..I understand fully the anguish your family has suffered. Personally like yourself I couldn't see any compensation been enough...Which is my whole point. When it comes to these huge things.Saying sorry by the perpetrator or perpetrator's is as good as you are going to get. Some people want revenge..But it's a dangerous road to take..Though understandable. But an obsession for revenge can be self-destructive and you are paying more in anguish and maybe hate to something that was not your fault...These people are not worth the energy. Bitterness is a price a victim continues to pay to these wrongdoers and they don't deserve not one second of your life..If you know what i mean.

• ballyhip | Feb 22, 2011, 10:58 AM EST

  sirpeter, it is only your opinion but "But in all fairness it worked for 2000 years." is a statement that requires some reflection on your part. What worked? You mean if we don't awknowledge it, it doesn't and didn't happen? Are you really interested in the victims or in preserving a hierarchy that may have outlived its place in the world in its present form?

• barneyjo | Feb 22, 2011, 10:57 AM EST

  @Bernadett - No, you did!! And I for one can only thank you for that.

• sirpeter | Feb 22, 2011, 10:40 AM EST

  I for one, would prefer if a poster did not share, that they were a victim of clerical abuse on a topic like this. This automatically put's poster's at a disadvantage. It's like sitting around a table with your friends trying to discuss the morality of abortion when one of your friends has had an abortion. Those who have very valid reasons why abortion is wrong, are trying to put their point across,while not trying to offend that person. In my opinion this is alot more complex then what I'm reading here or in the media. I'm not an expert,but pedophile priest's are only the tip of the iceberg.Pedophiles would naturally be drawn to the priesthood as they know from a young age they have a sexual preference to minors,There is no natural place for them in society(some marry,even though they have no sexual attraction to the woman they married,They even have kids,but they are still Pedophiles)I would imagine homosexual's are in the same position.They are not attracted to women.They also had no natural place in society (Thirty years ago or less homosexuality was taboo,still is to some degree)Priesthood must have been seen as a way to fit in. Then you have celibacy,which is totally unnatural and must be a constance source of stress and frustration to most of the priests. Intimacy is an essential part of been human. Priest's are not provided with this Intimacy. Is it any wonder then, that the weakest in society (Children)are then abused.

• sirpeter | Feb 22, 2011, 10:39 AM EST

  (Cont)There was an all male penal colony off the coast of Australia called Norfolk island in the last century.Literally all the convict's practiced homosexuality,not because they were gay,but for the intimacy and sex, hence the slogan (Rum,Sodomy and the Lash)Take intimacy and sex away from any human being and that human being is in trouble. Take it out of a marriage and who suffers most. People are looking at this problem on a superficial level,but it is alot more complex and alot more problematic to the Catholic Church then meets the eye. They are making gesture's,but they know in order to help cut down abuse.They will have to change the whole structure of the Catholic Church. This will fragment the Catholic Church as it did the Protestant Church.Even then it is unlikely to stop it,as sexual abuse is rampant in the Protestant Church. The fact is sexual abuse is everywhere. I think the church made a big mistake trying to cover up these abuses.But in all fairness it worked for 2000 years.Openness about sexuality is a resent thing.So maybe you can see why all churches were obsessed in stopping people expressing themselves. The taboo was lifted and so was the Churches cover. I don't care if everyone rubbishes this post..It's not a fact, or an expert's opinion...It's just MY opinion..I don't hold on to my opinion's like religious belief's. Bloody hell!! this post is another Bible ;))

• STUMPTOWN | Feb 22, 2011, 10:20 AM EST

  What person is above Ireland's laws from the act of crime, the cover up of crime, or the one that forces a victim of the crime to be silent of the crime? Or does Ireland just do not have such laws? HELLO IRELAND! P.S. My feet and other parts are off limits, thankyou very much.

• Bernadett | Feb 22, 2011, 09:59 AM EST

  Barneyjo. You put it so well.

• Bernadett | Feb 22, 2011, 09:54 AM EST

  sirpeter--I can tell you no amount of money would pay for what happened to my son and if thats what you took from it then you are mistaken.Are you blaming me and other parents for what thees priets did?.As for leaving the church why not look at the people who covered up and allowed thees priests to carry on

• eiriamach | Feb 22, 2011, 09:51 AM EST

  Gearoid is wrong: "gestures of feet-washing is an acknowledgment of deep shame . . . for the heinous actions of a number of their brother priests who betrayed their vocation to lead souls to Christ." Foot washing is a gesture of hospitality, of welcoming travelers into a monastery of house of God, and perhaps of humility as well. But it is not a gesture of repentance or shame. For that, the pedophile priests would have to seek the surgery inflicted on Peter Abelard, which would make their repenting words "I'll never do it again" also accurate prediction. The Abelard surgery would serve as a guarantee to the faithful that the priests will prey no more on anyone. Doesn't the Vatican have a physician in residence? Perhaps the pope's doc would perform the minor in-house procedures. Then the sinning priests could keep not only their church jobs but also their hair (castration prevents male-pattern baldness)! I'm not recommending this gesture, understand, but merely mentioning that there is a gesture more fitting and proper to the situation.

• Nanaof5 | Feb 22, 2011, 09:28 AM EST

  Murphy66-I don't think that people who have left the church because of the sex scandal are losers-you would have to know their stories and you do not.I wouldn't be so quick to judge people who may simply want a safer place to place their faith and have some semblance of peace .If you are a good Christian, you would give credence to what we have all been taught and that is that God is everywhere we are no matter the locale! This Church is no longer a place of comfort and peace for a great many of us but that doesn't make us any less faithful to God or any sort of "loser" except in the eyes of the very self righteous.

• FromPhoenix | Feb 22, 2011, 09:18 AM EST

  I find it very sad that years after Sinead O'Connor was villified for speaking out against the abuse of children at the hands of the Catholic Church that it would take so long for people to catch up with the truth. Washing of the victim's feet is too little too late. And besides, I would not want any priest, bishop or not, to touch any part of me. For me, this exercise in 'humility' on the bishop's part was, quite frankly, extremely creepy.

• barneyjo | Feb 22, 2011, 03:58 AM EST

  @ohmygosh - if only it were that straightforward. For myself (and maybe others) the awfulness of the unchecked instances of abuse across the world both inside and outside the catholic church is bad enough; what has made it even more terrifying (Im a father of five kids all raised as Catholics) has been the complicity of the Hierarchy in moving serial pedophiles around,even from country to country for the sole purpose of the avoidance of scandal.And by doing so, they exposed more children to the dangers of priest abusers, and left many, many more damaged lives in their wake. No matther what the intention behind their actions (whether honourable or otherwise) that is at best irresponsible, and at worst unforgiveable!!

• ronnie4u2o | Feb 22, 2011, 02:46 AM EST

  Its a Kiss off, means very little. criminals of the church need to be punished by a court of law .The People of Ireland. America & Europe need to breake away from the corrupt church of Rome, and be a self Ruling Catholic Church, The Roman Church only takes & Gives nothing in Return. The time is long over Due for change !!!

• ohmygosh | Feb 21, 2011, 10:58 PM EST

  I would like to remind people that these pedophile "priests" more than likely had little to no interest in the Catholic church from the get-go. They put on their wolves clothing and snuck into the church, and fulfilled their dirty desires. Don't get these people mixed up with Catholics. In other words, don't hate the Catholics and Catholic church because of these non-Catholics and their deeds. Finding these people wasn't easy, it took time. Shame, guilt, sorrow clamped people's mouths shut. Confusion as to how to handle these people due to inexperience with such an odd condition, and some poor judgment from time to time on part of some bishops, didn't make matters any better. Now, allow the Archbishops, popes and priests an opportunity to say "we are sorry" for the sins they did not even commit! They ARE trying to repair the damage done, best they can.

• jim1234 | Feb 21, 2011, 08:43 PM EST

  oh god...how silly of them! Send checks to victims-- they know who they are and what they did. The prostration is theatrical and meaningless...

• barneyjo | Feb 21, 2011, 08:22 PM EST

  I think there is a lesson here for all Posters to this site in general and on the issue of clerical abuse in particular. Its only too easy for those who have not been blighted, wounded, or defiled to jump to our own conclusions and give what we might consider to be very valid views on how things should be. However, someone was brave enough to share what I can only imagine is a very painful reality for her? and her family. I'm sure there are other victims of clerical abuse and (or their) family members who read the posts here in despair. For those of us who enjoy the benefit of distance from this awful horrid "thing" we should be thankful. Equally, we should also be mindful that abuse is a far greater reality for some who post here and for reasons of their own, choose not to make that known. Whatever our thoughts are or where sympathies lie, the victims in all of this should NOT be forgotten!!

• Gearoid4 | Feb 21, 2011, 07:32 PM EST

  @Bernadett It was not my attention to given offence or hurt anyone. As Barneyjo so aptly put, no words could compensate you for the criminal actions of a priest violating the innocence of your little child. It was a gross betrayal and the court system should be unceasing in the prosecution of such miscreants. The simple but profound gestures of feet-washing is an acknowledgment of deep shame on the part of two Church representatives for the heinous actions of a number of their brother priests who betrayed their vocation to lead souls to Christ. I understand that a lot of people have come to the point where they want to disassociate themselves from this Church founded by Christ but stained by the sinful actions of some of it's pastors. I would urge those people on further reflection to hang in there as it is in times of crisis that the true mettle of our faith is tested

• barneyjo | Feb 21, 2011, 04:57 PM EST

  @Bernadett - I have no words that could adequately respond to what your little one went through; I can only hope that the passing of years will be a shield of some sort from that experience. You have a very unique insight on this matter that other posters on this site who are quick to judgment do not. For my part as a (just) practicing Catholic who now has a degree of cynicism about any responses from the Church Authorities in relation to abuse, I still have to welcome this as a step in the right direction. I agree totally with your views about restitution and action rather than just "talk" If this was indeed an act just meant to placate, then, the Church has scored another "own goal"; people will not accept empty gestures any more ( I know I wont!!) and those who seek to make gestures will rightly be judged on the causes and consequences of those gestures. The remaining "Faithful" in Ireland and elswhere are not in the mood or are they disposed towards being sold any more "Pups" by Mother Church!!

• sidhemajik | Feb 21, 2011, 04:25 PM EST

  Too little, too late!

• sirpeter | Feb 21, 2011, 02:47 PM EST

  Bernadett..Who do you think pays for this restitution? You want money is it? You can put a monetary price on this? Compensation from the ordinary people who didn't do anything? Do you think the money comes out of the pockets of the church hierarchy? Well it doesn't,and they won't be paying a cent. I suppose your attitude towards the Catholic Church is alot healthier now and less naive, and you don't tell your 9 year old that priest's are the friend's of God anymore. Why don't you go the full hog and tell your 9 year old that there might be a God,but no one knows for sure.Or why don't you tell your kids like I do.That if they are good most of the time God will be happy,but no matter what they do God will always be your friend. Telling a child or allowing a child to believe that anybody is a friend of God is firstly a lie, and as you know now, dangerous. If there is a God..I know for a fact he would pick his own friends.

• GeorgeDillon | Feb 21, 2011, 01:38 PM EST

  Geroid: Good post. I commend the Archbishop for his action. I believe the Pope should be doing the same. I am still a practising Catholic, as no evil perverts are going to steal from me the faith of countless generations of my ancestors. I think of the thopusands of martyred priests in the Ireland of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, tortured and murdered by England and its agents. They held on to their heritage, in spite of dungeon, fire and sword.

• Bernadett | Feb 21, 2011, 01:20 PM EST

  MY DEAR GEAROID4,the begrudgery as you call it, comes on my part, from watching my 9 year old cry and tell me how he was abused then faint because he had told on his abuser he thought was a friend the great father ----

• CaliforniaShamrock | Feb 21, 2011, 01:20 PM EST

  Amen to ripley and Gearold - the archbishop and Cardinal did the right thing

• ripley838 | Feb 21, 2011, 12:48 PM EST

  As an act of self-abnegation, it is traditional and historical. A shame that the the members of the Curia,(including Benedict) did not take part.

• Gearoid4 | Feb 21, 2011, 12:38 PM EST

  The begrudgery displayed in the previous comments concerning the meaningful gestures carried out by both Archbishop Martin and Cardinal O'Malley beggars belief. The washing of the feet has deep biblical significance. Jesus washed the feet of his apostles during the last supper as recorded in the gospel of John. Our lord was showing that He had come not to be served but to serve. Likewise this gesture during the rite of service of repentance is the external manifestation of a deep shame and respect for the victims of the terrible blight of sexual abuse within clerical ranks. I hope that this ceremony is carried out in every diocese and archdiocese in Ireland with the incumbent bishops and pastors carrying out the same acts. Justice of course must be seen to be done in terms of sentences for the malefactors in court cases and monetary recompense for victims. I believe also that church ceremonies involving such as the washing of feet are welcome steps on the long journey back for the Church.

• culchiewoman | Feb 21, 2011, 12:03 PM EST

  'Dramatic' indeed. Worthy of an Academy Award. But what a farce. Will they next launder the clothes of Magdalene survivors who have still not received a public apology or justice? There is far more than 'lamentation and repentance' needed.

• STUMPTOWN | Feb 21, 2011, 11:36 AM EST

  They better of to wash their cars at this date and time. Great damage has been done by the abusers of children where as all the abusers MUST be put out of religious life no matter who period. THE REAL DAMAGE TO THE RCC WAS DONE AND STILL IS BY THE RCC ADMINISTRATORS THAT STILL CARRY ON THE POLICY OF SILENCE THE TRUTH TO PROTECT THE IMAGE OF THE CASES STILL IN THE DARKNESS WORLD WIDE FOR MANY YEARS. This pope's old job desk is where all the dots cross. Cardinal O'Malley as well as Bishop Martin are good RCC AMDs and try to iron out these damages but what is needed is a NEW POPE with clean hands and THEN VATICAN III to turn the RCC around with TOTAL HONESTY in all matters as well as bring it up to date. The RC's that do not want to hear of the children sexual abuse by RC religious and the RCC AMD cover up are a great part of the blame. If it was your child, what would you do? What would CHRIST say of this? Just stop and think of the RC members that have stop going to the RCC account of this abuse. How have the young RC members been change by this? Like on TV, a young group in Rome with the Vatican in the background down the street said, " we are for the religion but who needs the middle men". And they tought moveable type was dangerous.

• antoman | Feb 21, 2011, 10:59 AM EST

  I bet they washed their feet and trimmed their toenails for the event anyway.So any scrubbing done by the bishops was superfluous.

• Siobhan39 | Feb 21, 2011, 10:58 AM EST

  Until thosde who perpetrated the abuse and those who allowed it to continue by simply moving abusive priests to other dioceses are defrocked, this is all widow dressing.

• Bernadett | Feb 21, 2011, 09:46 AM EST

  i am so glad someone found closure but spare a thought for the people that have got no compensation yet and still have to fight for what is right and just and of thees their are many. Its easy to talk the talk but its time now to stop all this talk and make restitution that is what the bible says and so far there is not a lot of that happening. I wish the Cardinal and the archbishop would look up what this means.

• RosemaryKelly | Feb 21, 2011, 09:43 AM EST

  Whop de doo..... too little, too late. They should all be excommunicated from the church!!!

• fedupirish | Feb 21, 2011, 09:16 AM EST

  A start. A conviction of Bernard Law. He does not deserve his title of Cardinal. Sending countless known pedophiles to other parishes is nothing less than criminal. His promotion to the Vatican after his actions, reprehensible!

• hollabackgurl | Feb 21, 2011, 08:38 AM EST

  Now they think of a gesture of healing and remorse? After they tried every other avenue first!

• jim1234 | Feb 21, 2011, 07:47 AM EST

  the magic of theater...no cost to church...were they also giving victims checks?