Let’s not tarnish the church and the good work of priests with the crimes of a few

AMID all the scandals involving the Catholic Church we should not lose sight of the positive and respected side of the institution.

The good work that priests and others have done in the developing world through the years is immeasurable.

These missionaries are based in 80 countries – some of them so dangerous even peacekeepers have left. Within the past 50 years, 24 of these dedicated people have died in the line of their work. The Catholic ethos in many of our schools and hospitals – as opposed to State input – should be regarded generally as positive and constructive. With the decline of religious participation in hospitals, it is widely accepted that day-to-day management of the health service has deteriorated in recent decades. While Catholic-run schools may be waning in influence, they not alone take into account the academic or practical aspects of a pupil’s education, but the moral and spiritual aspects as well. That can only contribute to a more just society.