Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin states sexual abuse of children 'clearly a crime, not an illness
Catholic Church leader believes that Pope Francis I will see change coming from local community
Published Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 7:38 AM
Updated Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 7:38 AM
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Archbishop Diarmuid Martin
Photo by Photocall Ireland
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has responded to Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier of Durban’s comments on sexual abuse. The Dublin Archbishop has stated that the abuse of a child is “very clearly a crime.”
Speaking to the BBC earlier this week, Fox Napier had said that pedophilia was an illness, not a crime, and questioned whether those who had this psychological defect should be punished.
Martin told the congregation at the Pro Cathedral in Dublin that regardless of the idea that those who committed the abuse suffered from a psychological problem this did not exempt them from the law.
He said, “No one has the right to harm a child. And no one can excuse themselves from that.”
The Archbishop was speaking after a thanksgiving Mass for the election of Pope Francis I.
When asked by the Irish Independent if he believed Pope Francis would see the appointment of women in the Catholic Church, Martin said, “I think there is absolutely no doubt. The papacy will give a lead, will set a tone, but much of this work has to be done in the local churches and this is where the church in Ireland has to question itself and look forward."
The Mass was concelebrated by the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown.
Brown told the congregation he believes Pope Francis will continue to take a strong stand on sexual abuse.
He said, “I think all the signs are that Pope Francis will be a courageous reformer in the church.”
See more:
Vatican
, Sexual Abuse in Ireland
, Irish News
, Irish Catholic Church
, Irish Catholic Priest
12 Comments
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anglo-norman | Mar 20, 2013, 06:08 PM EDT
This Martin chap will do his employers bidding at the end of the day. He is willingly being used as a buffer between the vatican & the Irish people.
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marielco | Mar 20, 2013, 04:15 PM EDT
anglo-norman you obviously do not know anything about Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin. He is an honest sincere man who has been a light in the darkness here in Ireland on the abuse issue. A "spoofer" he is most definitely not!
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IrelandNorth | Mar 20, 2013, 03:55 PM EDT
I assume the honourable ecclesiastics mentioned are DDs/STDs, ie doctors of divinity/sacred theology. To what extent does this qualify them to make either clinical or legalistic pronouncements. Was criminal law and/or psychiatry on their syllabi. Or are the speaking ex-cathedra, on a point of canon law. Clearly psycho-pathology should be treated rather than punished, just as crime should be punished rather than clinicalised. The likelihood is that it may be either, depending upon case history. There's a difference between explaining and understanding, and excusing or justifying. And this problem isn't peculiar to celibate clerics, though it may be an impacting factor.
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BoysofBantry | Mar 20, 2013, 02:03 PM EDT
One must be held accountable for the sexual exploitation of children regardless of how we label them, sick, ill, criminal etc. The behavior is unacceptable and must be stopped. Is there any evidence that some form of treatment will stop this? In the cases of the clergy it appears many have practiced this violation of children for decades, probably making rehabilitation unlikely.
Maybe we should reopen a few of those Magdalen Laundries and put pedophile clergy to work in a confined area!
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anglo-norman | Mar 20, 2013, 01:46 PM EDT
Do not trust this spoofer Martin..a gombeen priest at the end of the day.
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Scottmcgowan | Mar 20, 2013, 11:24 AM EDT
I believe that it is both an illness and a crime - and the criminal part takes prescedence (or should!). The Archbishop is right on target and I agree with bcoc1124's assessment and recommendation in terms of what Rome should do. A year ago or so, the Archbishop joined Cardinal O'Malley in a mass in Dublin and both humbled themselves to the victims of sexual abuse. These are the type of men we need in leading the Church - and, if the Archbishop, is correct, Pope Francis will open the doors of leadership to women which will, perhaps, lead to the ordination of women. The Catholic Church honors the Blessed Mother at the highest level possible for a human being. That being the case, it is time that the Church reflects on its restrictions to female vocations. I have noticed that in some churches where St Bridget of Ireland is depicted, she is shown wearing a bishop's mitre and carrying a staff. Obviously, some in the ancient Irish Church believed that she was ordained and then consectrated as a bishop. I know, I know - the more conservative members of Holy Mother Church would have my head for saying the above.
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merefalow | Mar 20, 2013, 11:02 AM EDT
unless you are mentally subnormal,ITS A CRIME,committed by men who normally have a better education than most.Has it taken 2000 years to reach an obvious conclusion.Its disgusting that any leniency has been shown to these people.The only answer was xcommunication and criminal proceedings and a clear message that there was NO place for them in the catholic church.If that had been made clear,it would not be in the mess it is in today and people would not have turned away in droves,like they have.
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Ms.Gail | Mar 20, 2013, 10:59 AM EDT
A strong advocate for the new Pope.
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bcoc1124 | Mar 20, 2013, 09:57 AM EDT
I will believe that Francis is a reformer if, as one of his first acts, he gives Archbishop Diarmuid Martin the red hat! Take him to Rome and put him in charge of the sexual abuse response. Then, please God, we will see some bishops get what they deserve - loss of status as bishop or cardinal. They were supposed to be shepherds, but they allowed the foxes free reign. Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers...
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pilib04 | Mar 20, 2013, 09:49 AM EDT
Oh, did you not hear, Cardinal Napier has renounced his statement and said it was all a misunderstanding. He has now backtracked considerably from his initial comments. He was trying to say that Pedophiles often are abused themselves as children and continue the abuse. That was where he was coming from when he said they were sick and not criminals. His statement of course, followed traditional, hierarchal, Catholic Church policy that pedophiles should not be punished for their CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. Of course, now that the State is prosecuting pedophiles, the Church has had to back down somewhat. I think that these people who slaughter school children or movie goers are sick. I think that those who steal billions from the people are sick. But all should be criminally liable and punished!
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McNamara31 | Mar 20, 2013, 08:55 AM EDT
"Fox Napier had said that pedophilia was an illness, not a crime, and questioned whether those who had this psychological defect should be punished" The prisons are full of people who some would deem having an "illness" however, they are behind bars. This "thought process" within some clergy, is one, that still looks out for the "ill" predator priest, and not the poor child. I believe this thinking was the main reason that abuse was hidden for decades and not dealt with as the crime against children that it was from the very start.
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