Root and branch reform of Church practices needed

The response to the latest shocking revelations of clerical sex abuse have included calls for new Garda inquiries and investigations.

Your editorial on Sept 6 comments on the gravity of what has been uncovered. New investigations might expose similar tragic conclusions, but what is perhaps most glaring is the pathetic response of Church authorities to the enormous deficiencies in their culture of accountability and, most especially, their capacity to hold those responsible for poor practice to account by promptly replacing those with damaged credentials.

All of the bishops made a unanimous decision in 2007 to mandate their Safeguarding Board to conduct audits of safeguarding practices and policies in dioceses and congregations.

But three years later there had been no progress whatsoever because a review of data protection issues had become submerged in a quagmire of inertia while some apparently viewed a monitoring process with deep suspicion. This development was greeted with undisguised concern by the chairman and members of the Safeguarding Board in March 2011.

The 2009 annual report of the Safeguarding Board confirmed that the Bishop of Clonfert, then bishop of that diocese for 21 years, did not even have a child safeguarding representative in any of his parishes.

There have been vacancies for a bishop in four dioceses, some for several years, following the resignation of previous incumbents when their vicarious oversight of child safeguarding practices was severely criticised. At least three other bishops remain in office despite robust public criticism of their capacity to lead.

There is little evidence of new thinking or a fundamental strategic response to major deficiencies in organisational structure, leadership and personnel.

A root and branch remediation is long overdue and there is not the remotest prospect of moving forward to inspire public confidence until this is in place, no matter how many investigations are embarked on.

That is the benchmark of progress against which the recently appointed American-born Apostolic Nuncio will be judged.

Myles Duffy

Glenageary

Co Dublin