Irish Catholic Cardinal Brady should resign over child sex scandal

By: Patrick Roberts | Published Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 10:35 AM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 9:34 PM

Ireland's senior Roman Catholic, Cardinal Sean Brady, said Monday he would not resign, but he may be forced to.

It has been revealed that he covered up for the Rev. Brendan Smyth, who abused at least 90 children in Ireland, Britain and in U.S. parishes in Rhode Island and North Dakota, from 1948 to 1993.

Just read these weasel words from Brady trying to justify the fact that he did not report the worst pedophile in Irish history to the police:

"Yes, I knew that these were crimes," Brady said. "But I did not feel that it was my responsibility to denounce the actions of Brendan Smyth to the police. Now I know with hindsight that I should have done more, but I thought at the time I was doing what I was required to do."

Brady never revealed to his fellow priests during this latest scandal that in 1975 he became aware of the activities of Ireland's most dreadful pedophile offender yet did nothing about it.

As a canon lawyer, he interviewed two young victims of Smyth, one a 10-year-old boy, the other a 14-year-old -- and made them swear a vow of silence.

Now, one of the victims is suing Brady, and the Cardinal is looking like he's on very shaky ground.

Four other "princes of the Church" in Ireland have lost their jobs for pretty much the same "hear no evil" offense that Brady took part in.

As always, its the cover-up that leads to the crime.

Brady was informed of a crime by two young children. He did nothing and silenced them.

He should go.

It's as simple as that.

Until all the pedophiles and those that protected them are dealt with, the Irish Church will never start to recover.