‘Apology by proxy’ is little comfort to victims

IT is hard not to feel some sympathy for Archbishop Diarmuid Martin as he struggles to deal with the mess created by his predecessors, none of whom – living or dead – ever seems to have shown much remorse for their actions.

It is, however, unsatisfactory that Dr Martin is apologising over events and actions for which he bears no personal culpability – it is difficult to believe the surviving victims could take much comfort from “apology by proxy” – it just seems to lack sincerity and real weight.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is right when he suggests those senior clerics seen to be most culpable should be made resign.

Serious crimes have been committed and those who aided the criminals are themselves equally guilty – it is not necessary to pull the trigger in order to be found guilty of murder.

That is how the law works for those in the lower regions of the social and economic pecking order – but it is very difficult to have confidence that any senior cleric will ever find himself behind bars, as some of them undoubtedly should be. Expecting the Vatican seriously to discipline its errant minions is to enter fantasy land.

If the final result of these inquiries does not result in serious punishment being administered to those who deserve it, then huge damage will be done to the credibility of the justice system and those who administer it will be seen still to be subservient to a church that is probably beyond redemption.

David Roberts

‘Gloundine’

Castlegrove

Mallow

Co Cork