Politicians on both sides of the Irish border have urged Cardinal Sean Brady to do the right thing and resign.
The Primate of All-Ireland is considering his position after damning new evidence of his involvement in the Fr Brendan Smyth child abuse cover-up came to light.
A BBC programme this week outlined how Cardinal Brady failed to alert the authorities after a 1975 investigation was warned that Smyth was abusing children.
Police believe over 30 more children were abused by the evil priest after the 1975 enquiry which Cardinal Brady was part of. There are estimates that Smyth molested 117 children in Ireland alone.
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny and his education minister Ruairi Quinn have both called on Brady to resign as has Deputy Leader Eamon Gilmore.
Quinn called specifically on Cardinal Brady to consider his position, with coalition sources saying the minister believes he should resign according to the Irish Independent.
“He pretty much said he thinks his position is untenable,” the source said.
Quinn said: “It is inappropriate for the Cardinal to continue as head of the Catholic church in Ireland.
“Cardinal Brady is the head of an organisation which is the patron of 92pc of the 3,200 primary schools but had failed spectacularly to protect children.”
Meanwhile Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has echoed their views.
Sinn Fein’s McGuinness said: “Speaking personally, I believe he should reflect on the wisdom of this position, which will leave many Catholics wondering whether anything is to be done by the leadership of the Catholic Church to ring the changes which many believe are required at such a sad time for all.”
Irish PM Kenny said: “Can I speak to you as Taoiseach and therefore head of government, but also as a practising Catholic and father of a young family?
“I like to think that the church that I’m a member of, that I can have pride in it and that it’s a church that I believe in and that those who participate in it want that to happen.
“We are putting our house in order and as I said yesterday, as Taoiseach (PM), there is a division between church and State, and the Cardinal should reflect on the outcome of that programme.”
Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has also stated that Cardinal should consider his position.
26 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.markday | May 05, 2012, 02:20 PM EDT
The Irish contribution to exposing the corruption of the Catholic Church hierarchy should never be underestimated. Nowhere els have so many bishops resigned, nor has the anywhere else that Vatican literally had its pants pulled down in public. Yes, it's great that Irish civil authorities are going after not only the pedophiles, but the clerical cover up artists. The U.S. has to play catch up to Ireland in that respect. Look at Boston's Cardinal Law. for his crimes, they kicked him upstairs, gave him a basilica in Rome and a fat salary. Go Ireland! Go Irish! Keep up the good work! The stables are only partially cleared out. There is plenty more s*** to get rid of.
seamus60 | May 05, 2012, 11:01 AM EDT
These clergy cover ups appear to be as alive today as way back then. Gerry Adams said he made the clergy at Clonard Monastry aware of his brothers back ground and nothing was done there either.
seamus60 | May 05, 2012, 07:00 AM EDT
I never cease to be amazed how some people take offence at the disclosure of truth. Whilst most(in this case)are up front in condemnation of Brady and the church, other die hards see truth unvailed as an all out attack on their religion. Why ? Do they not want to use this opportunity to finally clean up the system which has been a law onto itself. The catholic church (my church) has witnessed 60% decline in mass attendance in recent years. They are hardly in a position to leave Brady intact. The people have awoken and if it takes good straight talking, a small price to pay compared to the suffering already inflicted on the victims. They have been victims of the peadophiles and the church. When somethings broke, fix it without attacking those who found the fault.
EphraimKibbey | May 05, 2012, 01:01 AM EDT
@Bythebay - I agree with you but I would slip in a trial somewhere along the way. My father's Irish Catholic ancestors came from somewhere in Cork in 1850 (great aunt Bridget never stopped tell how beautiful it was.) I still have Catholic relatives but I am Presbyterian now. It is hard to study the history of western civilization without the RCC popping up occasionally so I know a bit about them. We have a Monsignour on trial over here for aiding and abetting in the cover up. If he broke the law, it doesn't matter what the RCC thinks, he will go to jail.
sirpeter | May 04, 2012, 08:29 PM EDT
Bythebay.Ain't you lucky you're still alive.You're a bit to bitter in all your comments.You're not talking to your family are ya?You have relationship problems.I know that for a fact.
seanomelb | May 04, 2012, 07:52 PM EDT
Bitter bytheway on his white hobbyhorse wearing his orange sash..going nowhere and nothing positive to say as usual.
cavanpat | May 04, 2012, 06:16 PM EDT
abc
Bythebay | May 04, 2012, 04:25 PM EDT
Martin McGuinness reportedly now criticized Sean Brady. In 1975 when the Royal Ulster Constabulary wanted to arrest Smyth in Northern Ireland, there was nary a peep out of McGuinness about the abuse issue. On the contrary he was too busy with his IRA Terrorists murdering people and destroying property.
barneyjo | May 04, 2012, 04:10 PM EDT
@cavanpat et al - Anyone who has watched or listened to the media coverage around this, will have seen or heard interviews with Brendan Boland. As a 14 yr old boy he was brutalised by Brendan Smyth, along with a number of other children. When he reported this to a priest he trusted he was subsequently questioned in secret by Sean Brady and other priests. During the course of this interview he gave the investigators the names and addresses of the other children who he knew either had been, or were potential victims of Brendan Smyth. He has explained that he thought by doing so, that he could prevent the further abuse of children by Smyth even though he was a victim. Two things are very clear; 1)the shining clarity of the moral compass of a 14 year old child set against the tragic indifference of the investigators. 2)I would also contend that like many before him, the Holy Spirit has chosen to speak to the Church on earth through Brendan Boland, who is a witness to the power of Resurrection that has been given to him. So far, many in positions of authority in the church have closed their hearts and minds to what the Holy Spirit is telling them to do; which is to repent (sincerely) and to change. They put themselves in great peril if the continue on this course of action!!
barneyjo | May 04, 2012, 04:07 PM EDT
seen or heard interviews with Brendan Boland. As a 14 yr old boy he was brutalised by Brendan Smyth, along with a number of other children. When he reported this to a priest he trusted he was subsequently questioned in secret by Sean Brady and other priests. During the course of this interview he gave the investigators the names and addresses of the other children who he knew either had been, or were potential victims of Brendan Smyth. He has explained that he thought by doing so, that he could prevent the further abuse of children by Smyth even though he was a victim. Two things are very clear; 1)the shining clarity of the moral compass of a 14 year old child set against the tragic indifference of the investigators. 2)I would also contend that like many before him, the Holy Spirit has chosen to speak to the Church on earth through Brendan Boland, who is a witness to the power of Resurrection that has been given to him. So far, many in positions of authority in the church have closed their hearts and minds to what the Holy Spirit is telling them to do; which is to repent (sincerely) and to change. They put themselves in great peril if the continue on this course of action!!
Bythebay | May 04, 2012, 04:06 PM EDT
EphraimKibbey, I don't mean to intrude but are you Catholic? No need to answer but if you are you should be well aware the Catholic Church universally has said it does not answer to civil law. The Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland, where Brendan Smyth was in 1975, wanted to arrest him. The Catholic Church moved him to a monastery in Ireland (separate country) where he would not be found. Brady should be immediately removed and thrown in jail!!!
barneyjo | May 04, 2012, 04:04 PM EDT
@cavanpat et al - Anyone who has watched or listened to the media coverage around this, will have seen or heard interviews with Brendan Boland. As a 14 yr old boy he was brutalised by Brendan Smyth, along with a number of other children. When he reported this to a priest he trusted he was subsequently questioned in secret by Sean Brady and other priests. During the course of this interview he gave the investigators the names and addresses of the other children who he knew either had been, or were potential victims of Brendan Smyth. He has explained that he thought by doing so, that he could prevent the further abuse of children by Smyth even though he was a victim. Two things are very clear; 1)the shining clarity of the moral compass of a 14 year old child set against the tragic indifference of the investigators. 2)I would also contend that like many before him, the Holy Spirit has chosen to speak to the Church on earth through Brendan Boland, who is a witness to the power of Resurrection that has been given to him. So far, many positions of authority in the church have closed their hearts and minds to what the Holy Spirit is telling them to do; which is to repent (sincerely) and to change. They put themselves in great peril if the continue on this course of action!!
seamus60 | May 04, 2012, 03:47 PM EDT
Porick For anyone with any type of MORAL compass it was as wrong then as it is now. There was a law against it then, theres a law against it now. No one should be allowed to hide behindany flag be it a political party or a religous one. Brady and Adams could share a cell. But no chance of that for the protected. Ruling by fooling.
SeamusMor | May 04, 2012, 03:47 PM EDT
Young Sean Brady answered God's call to the priesthood decades ago and has served Him every day of his life since then. The vows he made when he entered Holy Orders are unbroken. The Pope made him a prince of the Church and Primate of Ireland, not politicians, pundits, the press,or polls of public opinion. In due course, at the prescribed age, Cardinal Brady will submit his resignation. Until then, and ever after only God and history should judge His Eminence. Porickseantuny makes a great analogy highlighting the injustice of employing hindsight to make the Cardinal a scapegoat for the abuse scandal
Porickseantuny | May 04, 2012, 03:08 PM EDT
This is holding a beat cop reponsible for something the chief of police and district attorney ignored 30 years ago.
NYCFiredog | May 04, 2012, 02:40 PM EDT
Not only should he be booted, he should be thrown in jail WITH the pedophiles and rapists. Give him some earth style purgatory. He HOPES he'll land in the real one as opposed to the warmer alternative.
EphraimKibbey | May 04, 2012, 01:55 PM EDT
@hermitTalker - I agree that others should have spoken up but this article is about the cardinal and his suitability to command the church in Ireland. If there are not civil laws requiring criminal acts to be reported in Ireland, please vote for lawmakers who will fill the void. Above civil law, however, there is the knowledge of right and wrong as one's conscience reveals. For the cardinal to have placed the safety of an adult coworker he was convinced had abused a child over the safety of other innocent children at the very least shows a lack of judgement and a callousness toward the suffering of the least of these in his care. That hardly qualifies him to be the example to priests all over Ireland. If he is thought to have committed a crime of complicity, hopefully he will face trial and, if found guilty, serve the appropiate time in jail. Perhaps he should remain cardinal after all - sending the cardinal of all Ireland to jail might finally get the attention of those in Rome.
bostonrugby | May 04, 2012, 11:59 AM EDT
You can watch the recent BBC documentary via You Tube , search for "the shame of the catholic church. It is still a sick organization and the princes of the church such as Bernard Law and Brady should spend some time in jail for their neglect.
cavanpat | May 04, 2012, 11:36 AM EDT
It should have been Martin Luther, the German theologist, member of the Augustinian Church in Germany.
cavanpat | May 04, 2012, 11:32 AM EDT
Markday, let ignorance never offend thee.
markday | May 04, 2012, 11:27 AM EDT
Cavnpat: Who is "Walter Luther?" Didn't he have a blues band in Kansas City?
seamus60 | May 04, 2012, 10:29 AM EDT
Cavanpat Whats the weather like today up on your moon ?
cavanpat | May 04, 2012, 10:20 AM EDT
Cardinal Brady did nothing wrong. It was the corrupt politicians that brought Ireland to its knees. These hypocrites should resign their seats in the Dail. If you don't like the Catholic faith you should leave and form your own religion like Walter Luther did. Then you might be happy.
hermitTalker | May 04, 2012, 09:59 AM EDT
If one actually knows what he did and is now accused of doing it is fair to comment. 37 years ago he was part of a three-clergy team who interviewed a young man whom Smyth abused. Fr Brady went to talk to the other named victims to corroborate the allegations, including a trip out of the Republic to go north for one interview. He made his report- Smyth's Abbot got it, did SFA and now 37 years later they are blaming Cardinal Brady for not telling the other parents, they must have known already, nor the ROI gardai or the N Irish police. To this day there is no reqjuired reporting in the ROI - the pope and bishops have such requirments in place. The young man's father brought him to the inquiry, why did he not complain to the Gardai about the abuse, it was HIS son. Now the critics are laying the blame on the priest who did his job. This was not a cover-up, if Sean Brady had taken the reports and SAT on them, then kick him out, but at this stage hypocrisy reigns and the legitimate anger we all feeel is misplaced. Vengeance does not bring healing or peace to anyone, just a temporary release of animal adrenaline.
Murph46 | May 04, 2012, 09:43 AM EDT
Typical abuse & coverup for years
darragh.flynn | May 04, 2012, 08:10 AM EDT
I will admit I have been a bit slow to accept the truth about the abuse of children and the cover up by the Church. I guess my faith was blind in that respect and I didn't want to believe. I have just finished watching a few documentaries on what went on with testimonies from those who suffered. There should be a process to execute these "priests" never mind jail them. I was born and will die a Catholic. These men do not represent my faith. For me, they are proof of the existence of evil. They will all have to spend an eternity in hell. Cardinal Sean Brady would do well to consider the words of Edmund Burke, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."