Abuse inquiry and report: We have not learned from past scandals

YESTERDAY, two events dealing with abuse inflicted on the vulnerable, one at either end of the island, one historical, the other contemporary, brought into question our ability to learn from our mistakes. 

Indeed, the parallels between the traumatic events separated by four decades must bring into question the strength of our commitment to learning from the failures of the past, especially around how those unable to live independently are treated.

Speaking at the Historical Abuse Inquiry in Banbridge, Co Down, former cardinal Seán Brady, who retired on age grounds last year, admitted that clerics investigating child sexual abuse were bound to secrecy so the Catholic church’s “good name” could be protected.