Report is shocking — and yet not shocking at all

YESTERDAY’S Cloyne Report is shocking — yet in many ways not shocking at all.

So the Catholic Church did not monitor itself? (disregarding Cardinal Brady’s statement that the structures are working). This should not surprise. Most powerful hierarchical institutions with all the arrogance this allows would protect themselves. In particular, men like Bishop Magee, from whom I received the sacrament of communion, of whom our parents spoke admiringly, who lived in the most elaborate residence in Cobh — existed within this power, making them believe they were infallible.

Yet the report has highlighted the same issues addressed in previous reports into child abuse in Dublin, Ferns and residential institutions, and comes to the same conclusion: the institution (be it church or state) always comes first; families and vulnerable children always last.