Archbishop Diarmuid Martin sheds tears on "60 Minutes" describing meeting victims of clerical abuse
Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2012 at 08:02 PM
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| Diarmuid Martin on "60 Minutes" |
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin shed tears on "60 Minutes" tonight as he recounted asking to see a class of eight-year old boys in a Dublin school so he could imagine what it was like for them to be abused.
He did so after meeting a man who was horrifically abused at that age by a priest in his own archdiocese.
It was an emotional highpoint of a "60 Minutes" profile that portrayed Martin as a hero of the Irish church and a voice for the children who had been abused.
The Irish Times Religious Affairs correspondent Patsy McGarry made it clear that Martin alone among the top hierarchy had come to the aid of those abused by releasing the documents detailing the charges against hundreds of priests.
He alone among top church figures retained the loyalty of the faithful, McGarry said, pointing out that his boss, Cardinal Sean Brady, Primate of All Ireland, had been totally compromised after admitting covering up allegations made by boys many years ago into the notorious pedophile Father Brendan Smyth.
By so doing Martin clearly saved many other children from abuse and stopped the cover up..
The "60 Minutes" show painted a devastating portrait of the downfall of the church in Ireland with vocations plummeting and fall off in attendance as dramatic as only 2 per cent mass attendance in some parishes, down from over 90 per cent.
Martin is the one bright star remaining in that church and his stand off with Rome and those continuing the abuse cover up was clearly outlined on "60 Minutes."
As I stated last week here Martin is the greatest living Irishman a man who has told truth to power in the most courageous and straightforward way. The "60 Minutes" profile merely underlined that.
He has refused to tolerate child abuse practitioners among his clergy, has named and shamed them and has handed over every available file on them to the proper authorities.
His acts have made him deeply unpopular in Rome and among those apologists who would somehow make child abuse a temporary little evil in the Catholic Church.
He is a turbulent priest, a popular figure in Irish history who stands with his people not the powers that be.
For that reason he is Ireland’s greatest living person. The "60 Minutes" profile will only add to the legend.
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tombegs | Mar 07, 2012, 11:47 PM EST
"Future Saints of Ireland." It took Joan of Arc a long time to get there too. Can't remember who stood in her way. Must have been the people
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IrelandNorth | Mar 07, 2012, 08:17 AM EST
Nicoletta! It's not the 'Irish Church'. It's the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church IN Ireland. stanJames! Homosexuals aren't equal, though they may be equivalent. [f]ogside[f]unny! You can't prove either of your assertions. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is generally considered to be a good guy, even by those of us who have long since ridden off into the sunset. Clerical child sexual abuse isn't peculiar to Catholicism. We now have a corresponding contorversy in Anglicanism. To hell with all Orthodoxies, religious and political, I say! There hasn't been an authentic Christianity since the 4th. century. Google/YouTube Gnostic Gospels - for Christ's (?) sake.
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Scarlettkp | Mar 06, 2012, 09:03 PM EST
I think now the Priests will beat up on him, the Vatican will maybe inflict suffering on him- but talking about future Saints of Ireland! Yes it's always hard to do what's right but in the end doing what's right leads to good fruit.. it takes a lot of strength and courage to go out on a branch especially alone! I hope for the churches' sake they wake up and follow his good example but I'm not holding my breath... I can't imagine brushing aside abuse victims will lead to any good or heaven. God bless this poor Priest and protect him!
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FrJohn2 | Mar 06, 2012, 07:20 PM EST
This guy is a populist pretending to have it right on child abuse for his own attention - not great at talking about his own disappeared clergy good at media no theology
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GeorgeDillon | Mar 06, 2012, 02:39 PM EST
Glenbeigh: "Then the POPE should Visit ERIE". NO, the Pope should visit Altoona!
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Collette2 | Mar 06, 2012, 01:14 PM EST
marymore they can always count on a woman to come to their defence. We're classed as the weakest sex, didn't you know, a tear drop here and there always wins them over.
No bishop will stand out like a dogs hind leg without the consensus of the majority believe me.
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dibble2008 | Mar 06, 2012, 08:17 AM EST
Bitter tears, Too little too late for the Institutional catholic church. We in Ireland have no faith in them. They have condemned the lives of ordinary people for centuries and moralised over every intimate aspect of their lives. Enough is enough of this abuse from clerics.
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helmet365 | Mar 06, 2012, 03:41 AM EST
Archbishop Martin is doing a good job and good to see the young abused getting practicle support. But it may not finish there with these youths if Melbourne Australia is anything to go by.Google 'Australian Police link at least 26 Suicides to sexual abuse' This refers to only two Catholic clerical abusers, Father Gerald Risdale and Bro Best both convicted and now in jail.This has since been updated to approx 35 by a Melbourne journalist.It could end bad for for some. They will need constant support and certainly generous compensation to make up for what they have lost.
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bogsidebunny | Mar 06, 2012, 12:33 AM EST
The Cardinal is a phony! He could care less about his "flock". It's the money lebowski!
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maryemoore | Mar 05, 2012, 11:08 PM EST
For your information,Collette2, the Archbishop has been shunned by his fellow bishops because of being so outspoken, honest and compassionate. At his age, what is he supposed to do,look for another occupation? We need Archbishop Martin to stay in the ring and fight the good fight. Before you critise, make sure you know all the facts. He is a voice crying out in the wilderness and a true heroic Christian. He spent most of his time as a good will ambassador and was not involved in Archdiocesan business. As soon as he hit the old sod he immediately, after the shock of what he discovered, began cleaning house.
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GLENBEIGHNATIVE | Mar 05, 2012, 10:51 PM EST
I'm AFRAID...it's too late for the TEARS...action is needed...clean house First...Then the POPE should Visit ERIE and ask FORGIVENESS from The IRISH Families.....and GOD.....God First
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Collette2 | Mar 05, 2012, 10:51 PM EST
He is still on the hefty payroll as an archbishop and taken a vow of solidarity with Rome: the richest state in the world with diplomatic immunity usng it to the full, instead of making restitution to the shattered lives of those destroyed at the hands of clergy, covered up by agents of that dominion.
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stanJames | Mar 05, 2012, 04:46 PM EST
To little, too late. The abuse scandal went public in the USa in 2002 by the Boston Globe........Good riddance to the church in Ireland - even IC had a very recent article about how almost no one shows up at mass in some areas.........And btw I wonder what the archbishop says about treating our gay and lesbian citizens as equals under civil marriage law............ Probably about the same as a british bishop who yesterday tried to create hatred of gays among the black community with his comments about gay marriage being like slavery...........And the German pope who said a couple mos ago ......"gay marriage will bring the end of humanity" the same pope who if you google "pope hides child molestation"....
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CelticQueenUSA | Mar 05, 2012, 03:58 PM EST
It wrenched my heart to see ArchBishop Martin shed tears for something the higher ups are ignoring and causing good people to lie, deceive and ignore the value of truth and integrity which is taught every child in Ireland only to have the very man they should trust as a servant f God, go wrong. AB Martin is to be commended for his upright handling of all matters. I pray for him daily. The Vatican could do with a dressing down just now. They are destroying our faith in their ability to lead or directt our morals!!
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Nicoletta | Mar 05, 2012, 03:30 PM EST
It was so painful to watch. My heart goes out to the victims. How many alcoholics, drug addicts and suicides are caused by peoples' childhoods being destroyed by sexual abuse? The Irish church has now put down impressive safeguards and IMHO this should serve as a blueprint for any organization that involves children, including schools, where sadly, much abuse occurs.
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Suivness10 | Mar 05, 2012, 03:21 PM EST
A voice in the wilderness. He should be lauded and encouraged in his very noble fight.
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ktoneill | Mar 05, 2012, 03:03 PM EST
Who cares what Rome thinks, this man is doing something about it. Also, this abuse goes way beyond the priests, what about the physical, sexual and mental abuse handed out by the Christian Brothers for years and maybe still going on. I for one have witnessed this while being taught by this order. Would be interested in anyone else who had similar experience.
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Collette2 | Mar 05, 2012, 02:49 PM EST
I'm sorry everybody, he's still on the payroll and his coniving bosses will use whoever and whatever as a means to an end, they have a hell of a lot to lose ad I'm not referring to heaven.
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Harliemt | Mar 05, 2012, 01:58 PM EST
What a truly caring man. Finally some honesty has come forth. It took a very brave man to do this. God bless him. I am so pleased to learn of the new law that states a child is never to be alone with a priest. How long will it take for the United States to adopt this.
Probably never if one realizes all the coverups. Thank you again Archbishop Martin.
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DrMcHugh | Mar 05, 2012, 01:20 PM EST
Thankyou for this excellent article. The TV program "60 Minutes" did a fine interview of Archbishop Martin of Dublin, on child sexual abuse by clergy in Ireland. Archbishop Martin is a seeker of the truth. In my opinion, Pope Benedict XVI and many in the hierarchy are not seekers of the truth. It is hard for real change in the culture of the Roman Catholic Church to occur, if the leaders in the Vatican, especially Pope Benedict XVI and the Curia, refuse to admit their personal role in allowing clergy sexual abuse to flourish worldwide. Dr Diarmuid Martin is creating a model that the American bishops, and bishops around the world, can learn from. Archbishop Martin is listening to the stories of the victim/survivors and is making predator priests accountable. LISTENING is a lost art in the hierarchy, who pride themselves on knowing it all and being Princes of the Church. Jesus was a servant-leader and never a Prince, eventhough Jesus was and is the Son of God. In my experience, Archbishop Martin is focused on what Jesus would do, and not on what the Roman Catholic Church should do to maintain power and control over people's lives, no matter the cost of the betrayal of trust of innocent children by clergy sexual abuse. Archbishop Martin of Dublin is a true servant-leader and would be an excellent Pope, if the HOLY SPIRIT is allowed to be LISTENED TO by all of the faithful!
Sincerely, Dr Rosemary Eileen McHugh, Chicago, Illinois
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Murph46 | Mar 05, 2012, 01:09 PM EST
He appeared honest ,and sincere to me.Let us hope that it be so,he has hard work in front of him.
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CitizenWhy | Mar 05, 2012, 01:08 PM EST
A very decent man. For sure he will never be a cardinal. The new papal Nuncio has been sent to usurp some of his powers. That's what "focusing on the Irish church" instead of government relations really means.
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McNamara31 | Mar 05, 2012, 12:13 PM EST
For anyone who may have missed the broadcast it can be seen on cbsnews.com
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snakehips | Mar 05, 2012, 12:04 PM EST
Finally a priest and a bishop who Catholics can believe- in and admire. God bless you Archbishop Martin, You are indeed a man of God and a holy human being!
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jamieLM | Mar 05, 2012, 10:53 AM EST
In Christianity, Catholic or Protestant, there are the core beliefs of the Christian faith (Nicene & Apostle's Creeds) and the church officials or hierarchy that we lump together as "the Church." One can still believe in Christian beliefs, but disagree with the policies of the hierarchy. Like it or not, many people disagree with the conduct of their church officials, Catholic and Protestant. If there were no questions raised, no speaking out, no one demanding accountability, it would be "business as usual" in the child sex abuse arena in Catholic and Protestant churches. That's why it went on for far too long. No one dared speak up and be disloyal. Better to let little children suffer than to ruffle the feathers of the offending priests. It was some of our church officials who betrayed us and our outrage about that doesn't mean that we "hate" the faith. All Christians have the right to expect their church officials to live by the same high standards they set for us.
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McNamara31 | Mar 05, 2012, 10:50 AM EST
falconflash..Did you even see the interview? Here's a flash for you. Ask any Irish American from Boston what they thought of the church's handling of the abuse scandal of little children in 2002. Then ask one more question...Ask all the good and decent priests how they felt having to live along side these criminals while the Vatican did basically nothing. Bishop Martin and Enda Kenny acted as Christ would have wanted. I stand by what I said and I am sorry you are so very uninformed and blind to the magnitude of obstruction that went on here in the states. Shall I also remind you when former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating resigned as chairman of the bishops' board investigating pederasty in the Catholic Church he atated: "I have seen an underside that I never knew existed. I have not had my faith questioned, but I certainly have concluded that a number of serious officials in my faith have very clay feet. That is disappointing and educational, but it's a fact. To act like La Cosa Nostra and hide and suppress, I think, is very unhealthy," Keating said "Eventually it will all come out." And it did.
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OldMariner | Mar 05, 2012, 10:43 AM EST
And I shed tears watching this humble man of God describing the pain he feels for the victims. For those of us who still remember our Latin: Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diebus suis, placuit Deo.
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catherineu | Mar 05, 2012, 09:49 AM EST
Diurmuid Martin is the one person who could actually change my mind about the church. We'll see.
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McNamara31 | Mar 05, 2012, 09:18 AM EST
Ireland has shown America that they are still the heart of the Catholic Church and not Rome. After centuries of producing more priests and religious than any other country it now stands as its “moral center."In Boston in 2002 the likes of Cardinal Law had the opportunity to stand with integrity, with Christ, but failed miserably and children across the world continued to endure suffering from monsters in priests clothing. Thank God for men like Diarmuid Martin and Enda Kenny and shame on all the American cardinals and bishops who stood with the Vatican corporate mindset instead of the children who where entrusted to their care.
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