Show your support for good men who are suffering

THESE are trying times for the Catholic Church, both religious and laity. Many of those with whom I am in daily contact have told me that scandals involving priests and religious are a source of worry to the lay person and undoubtedly disturb their faith.

Far be it for me to try to defend disclosures of the involvement of some priests and religious in the most heinous crime - when crimes are committed the penalty must be paid, and rightly so.

All the very unpleasant disclosures have caused me concern, but they have not disturbed my faith. If anything, I feel stronger in faith and continue to pray for better times to come.

The scandals within the Church were always there, but were never exposed to the extent that they are now. More is the pity. It is good for the Church that there is a general clean-up of such matters. In all walks of life, the Church included, you will have the black sheep to tarnish the good name of the majority.

Children have suffered at the hands of paedophiles. Some clerics have stepped over the line and deserve their punishment. They must be subject to the same law as the rest of us. The Church can have compassion for them, but it should not protect them from the law.

While we the laity hang our heads in shame, consider the feelings of the vast majority of our priests who are in the front line. These men - quietly and conscientiously, night and day - carry out their priestly duties.

Imagine how they must feel as they read or hear every day in the media more and more details of the scandals involving fellow priests. Each day they face their parishioners wondering just how they feel about their clergy. It is so easy to blame all for the sins of the few. For a country priest living alone, this is a very heavy burden to bear. Spare a thought for those dedicated priests who represent the vast majority of our clergy and, despite the present atmosphere of doubt and mistrust, are carrying out their pastoral duties as best they can, true to their vocation.

I thank the majority of our clergy who have helped to make many of our lives that bit easier and I wish them well as they tread the path of God.

A minority who promote the works of Satan must pay for their sins. But the vast majority must not be flung to the devil. Good, caring and dutiful priests are now suffering greatly, trying to fulfil their ministries in very difficult times. Kindly show them your support and encouragement. God knows they need it.

Cllr Noel Collins

‘St Jude’s’

Midleton

Co Cork