Church leaders should have to answer for the evildoers in their midst

WE know for sure it is impossible for a child to put up any defence against an adult who deliberately sets out to mislead, hurt and abuse.

What rights should such adults have? Should they have the same rights and privileges as a person who would never harm a defenceless child?

Have they essentially lost all moral/legal rights because of the long-term psychological and physical damage of such attacks on each child and on society?

Instead of taking the law as a given, why aren’t we asking if it should be completely changed in relation to such vile criminals?

Why are the leaders of churches claiming ignorance of the disgusting behaviour of their “staff”. Ignorance is not a defence in this very serious case. I would think that as leaders and representatives of the standards of that organisation, they can be made jointly and severally responsible.

It is taking far too long to bring them up on criminal charges in addition to all the nuns and priests and any other parties who defiled and ruined the lives of young children or were complicit in it. Just because they are in a religious order doesn’t give them legal rights over and above anyone else — especially not over innocent children who have the right to more respect than anyone in society because of their complete inability to fight those who are a constant blight on their lives.

Most psychiatrists, doctors and others who have to “treat” these evildoers will tell you it is well nigh impossible fully to rehabilitate someone of this appalling disposition. Of what value are such people to society if their main purpose in life is to set out to abuse the most defenceless?

Their life’s aim is solely to destroy the innocent and create pain for children, our future adults? Should life in prison be enough or should the death penalty be reinstated for this type of crime? Laws can be repealed for the benefit of our children. Children should be afforded an extremely high level of rights and, clearly, current penalties are not enough to stop the proliferation of paedophilia, are they?

Perhaps if this behaviour were punishable by death at least those children and society could be freed of such individuals in addition to saving the money spent on keeping them in prison where their behaviour in reality doesn’t change and they are likely to be released to reoffend.

All those politically correct persons out there (of whom I used to be one) should consider this before answering... imagine if the victim was your child and you had to pick up the pieces.

Katrina Farrell

Clerihan

Clonmel

Co Tipperary