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Retired Anglican Archbishop defends ‘heroic’ Irish Catholic priests

By
CATHY HAYES,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, September 3, 2010, 8:10 AM
Updated Friday, September 3, 2010, 8:15 AM

 

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Archbishop of Dublin, the Rt Revd Walton Empey has a chat with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin
Archbishop of Dublin, the Rt Revd Walton Empey has a chat with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin

In a letter to the Irish Times, former primate of the Anglican Church in Dublin, Archbishop Walton Empey, defended Irish Catholic priests who have continued to minister throughout the abuse scandals within the Church.

He said "As a retired priest and bishop of another Communion I was loathe to comment on the current situation within the Roman Catholic Church as it might be interpreted at best as meddling in the affairs of another church and at worst to be seen as patronizing in tone." His letter appeared in the Irish national broadsheet on September 2.

In his letter he set out an "appeal for support to those priests who continue to minister in the most challenging circumstances."

He recounted a story of his own experiences on how difficult everyday life could be for priests in Ireland.

His letter reads "Some years ago I was walking to the Mater Private Hospital to visit a good friend, Archbishop Joe Cassidy. On the way, I passed a group of teenagers who shouted, “Abused any children lately, Father?”

On reaching the hospital I sat down for a few minutes to compose myself before my visit. I thought of all the fine priests who had to suffer such insults and worse almost every day and wondered if I could have endured it. It is shameful that they should be tarred with the same brush as those who committed such horrendous crimes. I would add my voice to the plea that they “not be left alone at the altar”. They deserve the support and respect of every Christian regardless of denomination."

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6 Comments

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Report abuse
Posted by dearbhla12 on Sep 04, 2010, 09:04 PM EDT
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
Report abuse
Posted by seamuscorcoran on Sep 04, 2010, 07:33 AM EDT
It would be nice of Archp. Martin spoke in favour of good priests today
Report abuse
Posted by Conjoly on Sep 04, 2010, 04:12 AM EDT
We have no way of identifying those priests who are 'good' and those who are paedophiles or who have committed other crimes, not least because the organisation they all belong to, refuses to take action against those amongst them who are criminals, let along co-operate with the investigating the authorities. If it were different, then we could feel sorry for the priests who are wrongly 'tarred with the same brush'. As it is, to a greater or lesser extent, they are all complicit through silence and lack of action against the wrongdoers.
Report abuse
Posted by carrickcourt on Sep 03, 2010, 03:34 PM EDT
Technically Walton Empey is the retired former Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin. While part of the world wide Anglican community, the Church of Ireland is an entity to it's self. While I was trying to clarify Walton Empey church position in Ireland I found an interesting Wikapedia article about him. It turns out Walton Empey is married to a second cousin once removed of mine!
Report abuse
Posted by MadisinCatholic on Sep 03, 2010, 10:32 AM EDT
Somehow, nobody seems to realize two things: Prejudice against Catholic priests is just as heinous as prejudice against any other group, including racial groups. If you are looking for sexual child abuse, the Catholic Church is the LAST place to look (http://sytereitz.com/2010/04/if-you%E2%80%99re-looking-for-child-abuse-the-catholic-church-is-the-last-place-to-look/). The press has focused on the Catholic Church almost exclusively in reporting sexual child abuse, and has created a wide-spread public mis-impression that child abuse is a "Catholic thing." The truth is actually quite the opposite, the Catholic Church is the LEAST offender, but much of the media target the Church exclusively in reporting child abuse. Maybe it's time for a courageous member of the media to change this! Anti-Catholicism seems to be the last acceptable prejudice in 2010. May God bless our courageous, heroic priests!
Report abuse
Posted by Godscre on Sep 03, 2010, 09:50 AM EDT
Thank God for the Bishops, Priests and Nuns who speak out for God's children. Unfortunately, some have met with opposition from our hierarchy. May God give these men and women strength to continue to fight for justice. God will hold everyone (even the Pope). Silence and cover-ups allow the evil to continue and flourish.
 


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