Embattled Catholic Primate of All Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady, who was alerted to - and failed to stop - the abuse perpetuated by notorious pedophile Brendan Smyth in the 1970's, has publicly asked forgiveness for himself and the Church for failing all abuse victims yesterday.
In a homily at a Mass in Dublin during the 50th International Eucharistic Congress Brady said he felt 'deep shame' at his failings.
'May God forgive us for the times when we as individuals and as a Church failed to seek out and care for those little ones who were frightened, alone and in pain because someone was abusing them.
'That we did not always respond to your cries with the concern of the Good Shepherd is a matter of deep shame. We lament the burdens of the painful memories you carry. We pray for healing and peace for those whose suffering continues.
'I want to take this opportunity of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress to apologize for the times when some of us were blind to your fear, deaf to your cries and silent in response to your pain.'
According to the Irish Times Brady was referring to a large granite 'healing stone' unveiled at the congress opening ceremony on Sunday, which he said he hoped might become a symbol of conversion, healing and hope.
'I hope it will become a symbol of a Church that has learned from the mistakes of the past and strives to become a model for the care and well-being of children,' Brady said.
'What this stone represents, what has happened in the Church in Ireland and in other places in the world, is a stark warning to all that there can be no passing by on the other side, no room for half-heartedness in our care for the vulnerable and the young.'
The stone will reportedly serve as a reminder of those children and young people who were hurt by a Church that first 'betrayed their trust and then failed to respond adequately' to their pain said Brady, who has been strongly criticized for failing to act when he was informed of serious allegations against Smyth.
'Every moral choice we make, no matter how small, has consequences. The smallest act of kindness can bring good far beyond our expectations. The smallest act of selfishness can contribute to a wider culture of evil and death that has harmful consequences far beyond our intentions.'
The prayer dedication on the granite stone reads: 'Lord, we are so sorry for what some of us did to your children: treated them so cruelly, especially, in their hour of need. We have left them with a lifelong suffering. This was not your plan for them or us. Please help us to help them. Guide us, Lord, Amen.'
Around 12,500 pilgrims attended the opening ceremony event at the congress in Dublin, but a crowd of up to 20,000 people had been expected.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.esatdigiwank | Jun 19, 2012, 08:38 AM EDT
Resign , you cop-out shyster. And pay your household charge like every other Irish citizen must. Oh, I forgot. Members of the rc church are exempt from this tax.
merefalow | Jun 17, 2012, 03:21 PM EDT
there is no forgiveness dude,for crimes of that nature,not in this world or your make believe next one.
sirpeter | Jun 16, 2012, 10:06 AM EDT
Collette2.You make out that these mothers and wives are helpless victims and have no free will.The problem as I see it is that both priests and wives are vulnerable and connect because they both are lacking the same needs when you think about it.There is no violence involved.The woman has to be willing.Like most extra-marital relationships.The cause is the failure of one or both in the marriage.The outsider/priest is allowed into the family unit.Therefore the blame has to be shared.
Collette2 | Jun 16, 2012, 03:08 AM EDT
sirpeter, more times than not, parents as children,they themselves have been victims at the hands of our clergy. They don't mind the mothers and wives of other men for their own use either, usually while they're at work earning a quid to support their families. How horrific a scenario is that.
sirpeter | Jun 16, 2012, 12:14 AM EDT
This isn't all the churches fault at all.While they are partly responsible it's the sycophants to these give-me-forever-lasting pleasure when I die people of the world who are mostly to blame.Those who are too lazy to question.Those who are too self-centered with their own pain and selfishness to make sure their own children are not in danger and who put them second to their own wants and needs.Children get abused or some other avoidable miseries that fall upon them because the parents of these children fail in their duty to protect their children first and foremost.Simple as that.The wolf in the long grass sees the weakness in the parent and life doesn't suffer fools gladly.If you are willing to place your child in the trust of ANYBODY for whatever reason and your child is abused.Then a crime by ANYBODY against your child who expects protection from YOU at all times is ultimately your failure and your mistake and therefore you share in that crime.Anyway be happy with the "healing stone" because a voodoo rock and promises of more holy bullsh*t is what you pay good money for.
Collette2 | Jun 15, 2012, 11:02 PM EDT
Just one word. Get Lost! There are still cases coming to light, and the College of Cardinals still wearing their hats, worldwide.
pilib04 | Jun 15, 2012, 08:06 PM EDT
Mr. Brady should resign as Cardinal Primate of Ireland. He is a disgrace to the office once held by Tomas Cardinal O'Fiaich. Mr. Brady should be tried for his crimes against children.
sparticusnorth | Jun 15, 2012, 06:55 PM EDT
CATHOLICABSUESURVIVORSNI.COM---- CARDINAL SEAN BRADY knows his words are as foolish as his outfit and dagon fish god hat, he has covered up child sex abuse in ireland all his life and been exposed by the press and media on a regular basis for it ,---ooh how the mighty have fallen resign and hand yourself over to the ''irish'' police for crimes against humanity you fraudster , pay the irish goverment the agreed child abuse money you owe them , then leave for vatican city were you will end your days in luxury, you imposter of all things christ.
seamus60 | Jun 15, 2012, 03:18 PM EDT
Would have been better spending the money for the stone on the victims. Nothing has changed.
ciaradexy | Jun 15, 2012, 12:54 PM EDT
He didnt apologise for his lack of action. He kept saying 'us' instead of 'me'. He facilitated a paedophile ring. He should resign.
Nicomax | Jun 15, 2012, 12:24 PM EDT
Soothing words, with sadness and some humility. Now he should lead the charge to change the laws in the Vatican that clearly state that any and all clergy and other church officials are mandated to report any and all evidence of crimes to secular sources. Church law can no longer be presumed to trump civil law.
eiriamach | Jun 15, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT
The only words of Card. Brady's I find encouraging are the words that tell us he finally realizes "what has happened in the Church in Ireland." But he still cannot bring himself to utter words that say what his Church did TO Ireland. I note also the evasion in the stone's inscription "what some of us did to your children." Since he recognizes that "what some [including the cardinal himself] did" also contributed "to a wider culture of evil and death," his next step after apologizing ought to be supporting and cooperating with the movement of Irish priests to reform his Church's "culture of evil and death." Any chance of that happening?
Tooreenagrena | Jun 15, 2012, 11:01 AM EDT
This is such BS. If the words Brady spoke came from another that would be one thing but to come from him and for him to brazemly stay in his post is scandalous. Resign.
ProudCanadian | Jun 15, 2012, 10:54 AM EDT
Another of the Popes disciples doing his dirty work. Why isn't he admitting that the Catholic church has done these travesties, instead of trying to cover them up. dkbertroch and Portia777, I salute you I couldn't have said it better, good for you.
handsome68 | Jun 15, 2012, 10:49 AM EDT
Portia777, I must have missed that particular one of "the rules of Roman church" when growing up Roman Catholic as a child in Montana, and then later until today in NYC and environs. And, "(m)olesting children is not a crime under the rules of their god...and he is not called Jesus either(?)" Never having been a priest, or nun for that matter, I would not know if there are internal machinations, etc. Can a qualified clerical type step up to the plate, and address the allegations of Portia777?
dkbertroch | Jun 15, 2012, 10:36 AM EDT
I wonder if those who were abusing as well as those who tolerated and /or failed to deal with it have a belief in "hell," and if they think they might be fodder for its fire? Game, Set, Match!
Portia777 | Jun 15, 2012, 09:56 AM EDT
As cunning as ever in the use of words- just like a psychopath. We have to remember that under the rules of Roman church molestation of children is a divine rite which these men of god are entitled to.Shame ordinary people do not research and see how their deceptive intelligence is used to keep them free from serving time for their crimes.Molesting children is not a crime under the rules of their god...and he is not called Jesus either.