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Home Page > News > Ireland’s top theologian calls on Cardinal Sean Brady to resign

Ireland’s top theologian calls on Cardinal Sean Brady to resign

Retired professor says Church must address Smyth failure

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Friday, May 4, 2012, 8:03 AM

Updated Friday, May 4, 2012, 8:03 AM

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Fr Vincent Twomey

Photo by Catholic.ie

Pressure is mounting on Cardinal Sean Brady to resign as Primate of All-Ireland – with the country’s top theologian joining the call to quit.

Fr Vincent Twomey told Irish television that Brady has lost the confidence of his flock after failing to report Fr Brendan Smyth’s abuse to the authorities after a 1975 investigation.

The theologian is the retired Professor of Moral Theology at Maynooth University and widely regarded as the leading religious authority in Ireland.

A conservative Catholic, Twomey’s observation that Brady has lost his moral authority and ‘should resign’ is a damning verdict the most recent revelations about his involvement in the Smyth case.

The retired Professor told the Prime Time programme on RTE 1 that there are issues which the church must address about Cardinal Brady’s failure to alert parents to other victims of paedophile priest Brendan Smyth.

“For the good of the church, it is really tragic, but I’m afraid I am of the opinion that he should resign,” said Fr Twomey.

His remarks follow claims in the Irish Independent newspaper that Cardinal Brady was willing to resign over the Brendan Smyth affair two years ago.

The paper says the Vatican refused because it had “no idea” who to replace him with, according to church sources.

Nster.com

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Intercessor | May 18, 2012, 12:45 PM EDT

Parent should have been alerted about Brendan Smyth on BOTH sides of the Atlantic, where Brendan Smythe had full reign to molest, rape and sodomize young boys and girls. The fact that he went on checked is an indictment against the Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland as well as in the States. I think that this case, more so than any other has the potential of landing in the Hague, for International Crimes Against Humanity. I exhort those who are willing, to fervently pray this will happen!

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pilib04 | May 06, 2012, 10:31 AM EDT

Actually if you compare Brady to Ratzinger (Benedict), we should be selecting a new Pope. How about Bernard Law. Oops, law is hiding out in the Vatican to avoid arrest.

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Simplify | May 05, 2012, 10:15 PM EDT

So he may be forced to resign because his flock know what he allowed to happen. Pity that the vatican has to wait for this state of affairs before deciding to make him resign - is it too much to expect that they'd have the moral backbone to ask him to resign without being pushed into it. The flock have more morality than the shepherd and his boss, and may want to stop communicating to the creator through these moral bankrupts.

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seanomelb | May 05, 2012, 07:23 PM EDT

There are pedophiles everywhere they are a percentage of the general population and seek out their prey in any church/scouts or organisations where there is a preponderance of children.

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DanOLoingsigh | May 05, 2012, 03:36 AM EDT

katieherk - I suppose you have some evidence for your assertion that clerical catholic perverts are outnumbered by prod ones?

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seanomelb | May 04, 2012, 11:14 PM EDT

Who are we to argue with the country's top theologian.

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barneyjo | May 04, 2012, 05:58 PM EDT

@katieherk - Best that you direct that comment to the office of Cardinal Brady in Armagh, Ireland!!

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EphraimKibbey | May 04, 2012, 02:23 PM EDT

@cavanpat - If you knew of these professors and their crimes, why didn't YOU inform the police while they were alive to go to trial and either defend themselves or plead guilty? I spent 35 years teaching grades 7 - 12 in three different public schools here in the States and from the first day's orientation, at each of them, we were told that it was our responsibility to report even suspected abuse of a child to our principal and the police. As for your condemnation of Fr Twomey, he wants cardinal Brady to resign "for the good of the church" that you are defending because he had lost the confidence of his flock. This article makes no mention of him saying that what Brady or for that matter Smyth did was wrong. He really seems to be on YOUR side and on the side of the RCC. I'm just surprised that you are excommunicating him for wanting the best for your church.

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fatherelijah | May 04, 2012, 01:10 PM EDT

Every diocese has a significant number of priests who have abused the laity especially children. It would only take a bishop or more likely a bitter defrocked high level priest to spill the beans similar but not too probable is the Philadelphia trial or the future trial of Bishop Finn. Then the world will get wind of the staggering amount of pedophile cases and perverted priests that I share the priesthood with.

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McNamara31 | May 04, 2012, 12:51 PM EDT

The article states:"the Vatican refused because it had “no idea” who to replace him with" Maybe the better question should be: who should replace all in the Vatican who oversaw decades of this abuse. When does accountability ever reach them?

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katieherk | May 04, 2012, 12:50 PM EDT

Are you guys trying to run a contest to see how many "Catholic bashing" articles you can get in this every day? Well, it's overdone and disgusting... lay off anything that trashes our beautiful Catholic faith. Oh, BTW, if you'll look at stats you'll find that Catholic Priests are at the bottom of the list for pedophiles. Actually, Protestant Ministers and their church workers are at the top. So, please, stop trying to divide the church!!!

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cavanpat | May 04, 2012, 11:44 AM EDT

Priests were not the only people who committed the offence of paedophilia. It also was widespread in the lay community. I know two professors that exploited their students at UCD. These professors have long passed. I am not going to give their names because they are not here to defend themselves.

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DrMcHugh | May 04, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT

By some computer error, my name was attached to the comment starting with: "It is quite obvious, etc." I do not know who should be getting credit for that comment. My comment started with: "Cardinal Brady has been following the poor example of Cardinal Ratzinger, who is now known as Pope Benedict XVI." Sincerely, Dr Rosemary Eileen McHugh, Chicago, Illinois

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DrMcHugh | May 04, 2012, 10:58 AM EDT

Cardinal Brady has been following the poor example of Cardinal Ratzinger, who is now known as Pope Benedict XVI. Leaders in the Vatican in Rome are supportive of Cardinal Brady and do not want him to resign. That confirms to me that the Pope and Curia are very misguided, and do not have protecting the innocence of children as their top priority. Cardinal Brady, Pope Benedict XVI, and all of the Curia need to be replaced by women and men, married and single, lay and ordained, who love Jesus and want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Clericalism and legalism need to be replaced with the love and compassion of Jesus. Sincerely, Dr Rosemary Eileen McHugh, Chicago, Illinois

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fatherelijah | May 04, 2012, 10:48 AM EDT

It is quite obvious that the cardinal should resign. His conscience cannot be clear as he being a supposed 'man of God' did not do anything proactive to stop this predator. Every cleric in his position knew what to do in terms of reporting a crime and a criminal. He did what again every cleric does in his position in every diocese; he hides the scandal. Back in the 70's bishops ruled with a more iron fist and worked in collaboration with the priests in his administration. No priest in the entire world in those positions had the moral integrity to go against their superiors. It is for that reason the cardinal should resign since he was a cooperator in moral evil. He has the gall to proclaim innocence.

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