In passing over Dublin’s courageous Archbishop Diarmuid Martin when he named a batch of new cardinals at the Vatican today, Pope Benedict XVI has finally closed the book on the shocking child sex-abuse scandal and its cover-up in Ireland.
What’s that, you ask? How can the case be closed when there are still priests and other Church officials whose roles in the crime have not been fully explored, when there are very likely still guilty clerics who deserve punishment – both from the Church and from judicial authorities? And what has been done to trace the “exporting” of predator priests from Ireland to all corners of the world where they can escape investigation and continue their crimes?
And what became of justice for the victims of this horror?
Well… We said we were sorry, Benedict and his Vatican entourage endlessly repeat, as if to ask: What else can anybody expect? Why can’t everybody just forgive us and start paying up again when the collection plate comes around?
It’s the understatement of the century to say that Irish Catholics are not in a forgiving mood, and it’s hard to blame them. They have heard all the Church’s regrets, apologies, anguish, concern, contrition, disappointment, discomfort, dissatisfaction, grief, heartache, heartbreak, lamentation, misgivings, nostalgia, penitence, remorse, repentance, self-accusation, self-condemnation, self-disgust, self-reproach and sorrow for a long time now.
Benedict has even allowed the hard-charging Martin to evict a few obvious targets from their lofty Church positions.
But is that all there is? By stacking his list of new cardinals with longtime Vatican insiders – like himself – and carefully avoiding anyone who might bring a reminder of “problems” back to front-and-center – like Martin – Benedict is veering back to the closed and conservative Vatican that vigorously condemns other people’s sins, but hides its own.
Martin is not perfect, but his courage and conviction in fighting the scandal and rooting out the guilty has not earned him the high respect in Ireland he truly deserves from Irish Catholics, who expect instant justice and results from an institution that is simply not built for speed.
His zeal was originally lauded by Rome, which was happy to have someone – anyone – doing something about the mushrooming scandal. But at some point, the increasing volume and stridency of Martin’s campaign grew too sharp and incriminating for the Vatican. They were fine when he fingered and cast out a few of the worst abusers, but as he saw the true scale of the crimes, he knew and proclaimed that it was the Church as an institution that was the biggest part of the problem.
And that was a no-no. The always-right, supreme judge of others was guilty of something? Impossible! Almost heresy! There were just a few bad apples, Rome claimed. A little housekeeping and the dirt would be gone – so what’s this guy Martin trying to stir up?
Small wonder that Benedict called off the crusade – refusing in August to accept the Martin-inspired resignations of two Irish bishops named in the Murphy Report, and then reinstating them. There had previously been wide speculation that Martin was soon to wear a new red hat as one of the Church’s cardinals. Up in smoke!
In a letter to seminarians a few days ago, Benedict – for the first time – spoke of the Church’s much-debated policy on priestly celibacy in the same breath as the sex-abuse scandal:
“Even the most reprehensible abuse cannot discredit the priestly mission, which remains great and pure … in the life of celibacy.” This from the same pontiff who has cynically invited conservative Anglicans and their married priests to leave their church and join the Catholic Church!
Does Benedict just not get it? Far from it: Passing over and undercutting the fiery Martin is simply part of the overall strategy to fill the Curia with even more-conservative loyalists who will, at any cost, protect the Church from its “enemies.”
Like the innocent victims of predator priests and their fellow conspirators.
Father Tim is an Irish-American Jesuit missionary and a frequent contributor to IrishCentral.
21 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.paricaliswishes | Dec 18, 2010, 03:03 PM EST
Diarmad Martin is a strong man and the church is afraid of him.???With the Faithful in a volatile mood anything could happen?
haikued2 | Oct 25, 2010, 01:20 PM EDT
What was done to children is a crime. Root them out and prosecute them. Anyone who covered it up also committed a crime and should likewise be prosecuted. The BUNK of forgive and forget only serves to encourage future transgressions. The wolves pretending to be shepherds need to be eliminated from the clergy...period.
Intercessor | Oct 24, 2010, 08:46 AM EDT
Why wasn't Archbishop Martin promoted? The answer is obvious to many. Probably seeing a Man of God, like Archbishop Martin, who puts Victims/Survivors of Priest/Nun/Clergy Pedophilia, first, would be a stark contrast against other high-hatted clerics in Ireland's Magisterium, who have an abominable track record of orchestrating cover-ups of rapes, sodomy and abuse! Why reward an honest archbishop, who makes the sins of the other bishops and archbishops even more obvious?
jacersagain | Oct 23, 2010, 08:02 PM EDT
(/...con’td) Let me get it straight up front for Watereskhill and others: I repeat that I think Ireland needs to be FLOODED with Princes of Christ’s Church in these our hours, days and years of doubt. Let's get what the World Eucharistic Congress of 2012 in Ireland is all about – a simple celebration of Communion with Christ, even if the world has to come here for it. Let’s not just have Pope Benedict, or whichever Roman Pope is in place in 2 yrs time, let’s invite the Pope of the Coptic Church, the Pope of the Eastern (Russian) Orthodox Church, the Patriarch of Greece – all of them - and every other leader of Christ’s Church on earth to be here in Ireland in 2012. Then the few secularist press reporters working in fewer and fewer press offices around the world might wake up and see just how strongly world-wide Christianity is working in loads more numbers of parish offices than they will ever have of newspaper offices. I just hope that Archbishop Martin and I will be privileged to be alive in 2012 to see the day that’s going to happen, secularist press or none present. You ask God to bless the bread and then you eat and share it; you ask God to bless the wine and then you share it – Christ lives.
jacersagain | Oct 23, 2010, 07:56 PM EDT
Watereskhill says - “There’s no room or role for a second Cardinal in Ireland”. I disagree strongly. On the contrary, I think Ireland today should be flooded with Princes of the Church of Christ. Some of us say they are here all the time, unnoticed in our parish churches. I agree w/ what The Yank says to some political extent - that our country’s population is “so small” that it doesn’t warrant a second Cardinal but St. Patrick didn’t think we were so small that he shouldn’t have bothered his barmy to return here with his message, for us celtic heathens, of Christ and the Trinity, expressed in his example of our unique shamrock plant. (Con’t’d.../)
Watereskhill | Oct 23, 2010, 12:19 AM EDT
There is no room or role for a second Cardinal in Ireland. The Archdiocese of Armagh is in charge and that is how it has been for centuries. The seat comes with the red hat and title 'Primate of all Ireland' with historical lineage dating back to the days of Patrick. I'm all for Archbishop Dairmud Martin being successor to Cardinal Brady. But given the fickle nature of The Vatican...It doesn't always salute or reward the best. Everyday Catholics in Ireland are regrettably not included in who sits on that chair. Nevertheless this honorable warrior Martin has my vote. God help us in these times of Benedict. Guilty of nepotism while The Church cries out for a Third Vatican Council.I am of the opinion that Archbishop Dairmud Martin of Dublin has no investment or interest in donning the red hat of The Church 'as is'. Given his marvelous Articles of late on Hierarchy. One reported on in these colums awhile back. If he reaches Armagh I can only align it to another Miracle and Divine Intervention at Knock. Thank you Fr.Tim for your forthright stuff in these matters. However you need to do some homework in speaking about Ireland. Another Cardinal on the landscape? What would be the boundaries of his jurisdiction? It's not Italy with numerous little 'kingdoms' and coquetish votes. It's a pyramid and Armagh has the first and final word.
maryemoore | Oct 22, 2010, 11:58 PM EDT
Fr. Tim, although I agree with all the things you have to say about the cover-up,you should know better. The reason Martin was not elevated to Cardinal is because Ireland, being a small country, Rome will not ordain a second Cardinal for the island as long as the one in place is under 80 and still can vote in the consistory to elect the papal successor. Dolan of the Archdiocese of NY was not elevated either because his predecessor, Egan is under 80. Wurl of Washington,DC just got the nod now that McCarrick is over 80n and can no longer vote. Don't be as duplicitous as the rest of the clerical bunch, please!
bcoc1124 | Oct 22, 2010, 10:44 AM EDT
Bernard Law was and is rewarded for his exploits in Boston - for shame! Archbishop Martin is actually being honored by exclusion from Rome's reward system. Our pope may not honor him, but Our Father does! Bless you, Archbishop.
TheYank | Oct 22, 2010, 06:00 AM EDT
There was never a chance that Ireland would have two voting Cardinals. Until Cardinal Brady reaches retirement age, Archbishop Martin will have to wait. I don't think there's any more to it than that.
Padraig | Oct 22, 2010, 03:32 AM EDT
To be honest, is it so crazy to become The Irish Catholic Church of old??They were looked down by Rome because of incorporating pagan teachings but really?? I read stories about Priests protecting their flock with Swords and Armor against Vikings. Could you honestly imagine if those Priests were alive today??? Modern day Priest would truly feel the vengeance of God, in this life and the next. Yes, we are told of a loving God but if Priest were a direct conduit to Christ, would they not carry out his vengeance to the wicked? I believe they would shed their blacken wings and flow a river forth to thee. I fantasize but it would be nice if someone truly took up the cross and had a crusade against pedofiles.
1934Máirín | Oct 21, 2010, 11:15 PM EDT
I think it is business as usual in the Vatican.
TonydeNewYork | Oct 21, 2010, 09:46 PM EDT
Another aging LIBERAL priest 'father tim' making FALSE acussations agaisnt the pope. Not wonder he is jesuit!
barneyjo | Oct 21, 2010, 07:49 PM EDT
I recall one of Father Tim's posts from about a year ago, in the immediate aftermath of the Murphy Report, in which he predicted the (slow) demise of the Catholic Church in Ireland. It was called "Would the last priest to leave Ireland please put out the light"!! I think we are getting down to that now. The upcoming Apostolic Visitation will I believe be the final weathervane that will indicate to the Vatican that it has lost control of its hold on Ireland. Once realising that, the vatican will simply walk away. I dont believe that Diarmuid Martin would even accept a Red Hat in the Church as is, even if it was offered to him; talk about a Poison Chalice!! His just reward will come from God in recognition of his faithful ministry of conscience and love for those who have suffered at the hand of the institution he has striven to serve.For me, the case is made and proven against the Church. It may limp on for a time, but it will fail because many of those presently in authority within it, no longer walk with Christ. It MUST!! fail before it can truly start to heal and renew itself; but not from the "top down" that day is gone for Irish people. The WILL embrace Priests and Religious who truely are instruments of Gods will on earth and together with those who are committed will build the church anew. Benedict, like many of his predecessors could have taken the decision to renew the mission of the church, but instead have chosen a course whereby it firmly entrenched as a (large) part of the problem, and not the solution!!
jacersagain | Oct 21, 2010, 07:05 PM EDT
(...cont’d) It has always been an eternal - but in days of we who exist at the time - long-term goal of the human side of Christ and His Apostles. Pope Benedict is not going to be around to see that long term goal achieved. I think Benedict is getting our Catholic Church’s house in order, ready to face the challenges, dangers and wrongs of media-led secularism in Europe and elsewhere and, less notably, the creep of the falsity of Islam everywhere. I say ‘kudos’ to Benedict for his forward-thinking in naming Europeans most among the new Cardinals – readying them to lead the battles ahead after he and we are gone and one of them is the next Pope... just as a true present-day leader of Christ’s army of believers should for the future. Oh, and btw – the Pope runs the Catholic Church in communion with the College of Cardinals. He is not ever alone in making Vatican governmental decisions, or, needless to say, its Holy Spirit-guided ones. I think Fr. Tim needs to think again on this, he being out in the fields of Christ’s mission, perhaps with flat batteries. Love God, Love your neighbour, even the distant one.
jacersagain | Oct 21, 2010, 06:55 PM EDT
I was a great admirer of Fr. Tim's articles on ICentral last year (PS to Niall O'D - why did you drop him? His articles were the best for thousands of yr readers. Bring him back!) I digress - but I have to challenge Fr. Tim's comments above. I know nothing of the Archbishop of my dear Dublin City, Dr. Martin, apart from his media appearances (I like the guy, really do! – he says a lot that I cannot put into media circles like he can - not surprising as I’m just an ordinary Catholic guy in the streets of Dublin and media people wouldn’t be bothered with the likes of me) but I think Fr. Tim has perhaps been a bit too long out in the Jesuit mission fields to know what is going on in the Vatican's circles. The people of the Vatican city's mission is simple – to spread the Good News of Christ and to spread His exhortations – and it is once again, outwardly and unashamedly, challenging the peoples of Europe to regain their forefathers’ and mothers’ Christianity - specifically its universal catholicism, as it was intended by Christ, a long term goal – no! I correct myself - an eternal goal - of His Father’s will. (cont’d/)
murphy66 | Oct 21, 2010, 05:50 PM EDT
Father Tim will never even make monsignor.
CER1940 | Oct 21, 2010, 01:52 PM EDT
The heirarchy of the RCC continues to "protect the church" regardless of the truth. Anyone who does not subscribe to this will not advance.
rehobothbeach | Oct 21, 2010, 12:35 PM EDT
The Roman Catholic Church should seriously consider allowing Roman Catholic priests to marry. The Catholics of Ireland should demand from Rome to have a nation-wide poll on should or shouldn't Roman Catholic priests be allowed to marry. If Rome and the pontiff will not allow the nation-wide poll in Ireland, then Irish Catholics should stop sending their annual offerings to Rome.
SisterMaureen | Oct 21, 2010, 11:52 AM EDT
There are two short pieces on YOU TUBE about a twenty year old report, the "Winter Report" from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. I am not familiar with that report but I intend to find it. It shows once again that the Vatican, the then pope and now Pope Benedict XVI as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger knew about what was going on as they always have known. Thes YOU TUBE segments should be watched by all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiPQ-3JTw3k&NR=1 Sister Maureen
Watchman | Oct 21, 2010, 09:43 AM EDT
Well done, Tim. I'm sure you are one hundred per cent right on this. Perhaps Ireland should reconstitute the Celtic Church, bring back vertical tonsures and make Archbishop Martin its first Pope.
SisterMaureen | Oct 21, 2010, 08:58 AM EDT
I totally agree with Fr. Tim's take on the present situation in Ireland, especially Benedict's passing over Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and not naming him a cardinal. I anguish with the people of Ireland and I know my great grandparents on my mother's side have long ago turned over in their graves, so to speak, over the gross negligence of Church leadership over so many decades. Cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church have been quoted as saying such things as: "It's an American problem." "It's a homosexual problem." "We're no worse than any other institution." From the top down, Church leadership has never once taken responsibility for its institutional failures. Dear Pope Benedict, The Church is worse than any other religious organization because it has a documented history of episcopal cover-up that goes back not decades but centuries. The institution itself has been corrupted. You do not well represent the People of God when you reward complicit bishops like Boston's Cardinal Bernard Law. Shame on you. Sister Maureen Paul Turlish Victims' Advocate New Castle, Delaware maureenpaulturlish@yahoo.com