Church leadership

Cardinal Brady should have resigned, but he and his advisors again adopt a narrow interpretation of Canon Law which is self-serving and gives primacy to the welfare of the institutional Church.

Given the gravity of the child abuse issue he was handling, it was incumbent on him to satisfy his conscience that the matter was dealt with properly. Resignation would also have gone some way in making amends, and reluctance to do so suggests that he and the Vatican have not fully understood the enormity of the matter and why the broader society is angry.

What is left of the flock cannot be provided with the type of leadership they deserve, characterised by trust and integrity.