‘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.