Cloyne abuse scandal - Promises must lead to real action

ONE of the themes of the homily delivered by Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin at a Mass celebrating World Day of Peace yesterday was the protection of the weak and vulnerable.

The archbishop emphasised that society has a duty to ensure the wellbeing of those who might be in jeopardy, especially the old and the very young.

He expressed his hope that, in 2009, “it would be possible to take up the appeal made by Pope Benedict... and work on the basis of partnership to eliminate all the various forms of abuse of children wherever they exist in our nation and around the world”.

Dr Martin also said that he knew of the desire of many people “to work for a Church and a society more robust in their care and protection of children — right across the board and working together”.

Fine, stirring words from one of the very senior Catholic churchmen on this island. Fine, reassuring words too from the pontiff, the world leader of the Catholic Church.

Yet, despite the laudable intent and the inherent humanity there is a huge gap between the proclamations and the Catholic Church’s unacceptable silence and inaction on the abuse scandal in the Diocese of Cloyne. It is not necessary to rehearse the facts here again, they all point to the same thing.

The Diocese of Cloyne, patron of national schools teaching more than 12,000 pupils, failed abysmally to meet its obligations to protect children in its care. Rather, it protected a number of dysfunctional clerics against whom plausible and repeated charges have been made. These charges continue to be made and new ones are coming to light with a sickening regularity.

Very Rev John Magee has been bishop of the diocese for 22 years and all of the events at issue occurred during this period. Yet he has refused to step down. He refuses to accept that this awful scandal played out on his watch makes it impossible for him to continue as Bishop of Cloyne.

Bishop Magee has been urged “to consider his position” by a government minister; in reality he has been told to walk the plank, but in more polite terms.

A whole range of other interests, from dismayed clerics to parents trying to come to terms with the fact that their child was abused — one young girl was plied with drink and raped by a priest over a number of years — have also called for his resignation.

This is not about Bishop Magee any more. It is about establishing if statements like those made by Pope Benedict and Dr Martin have any real meaning or if they are like too many other aspirations voiced in our society: powerful on promise but low on delivery.

Bishop Magee cannot continue like some Taliban warlord, aloof in his eyrie ignoring the sanction of the society around him. He can, even belatedly, resign with some dignity.

If he does not, others must turn their fine words into meaningful action.