Talk is far easier than real action: Pope’s zero tolerance

CATHOLICISM is still, and for many years will remain, on a sticky wicket over child sex abuse.

If Pope Francis, as he did this week, tells bishops they must enact a policy of zero tolerance for clergy who sexually abuse children, he might be accused of bolting the door after the paedophiles have bolted. If he stays silent, he can be accused of the collusion that characterised Catholicism’s shameful response when abuse scandals were uncovered in recent decades.

It is generally accepted that child protection measures taken in Ireland, despite initial reticence, have changed perceptions at least. Only time will tell if the default culture of secrecy and cover-up has changed too. It is also true that, as there are fewer priests with access to fewer children, it is unlikely that historic predations can be repeated on the same scale. Unfortunately, it is revealing that Francis has approved a Vatican tribunal to judge bishops accused of covering up abuse or failing to prevent it but that the idea has run into the sand suggests the leopard’s spots remain unchanged.