Why the Taoiseach played down child abuse scandal
A measly word for what he surely would have regarded as something of epidemic proportions if it had happened in any other country.
Let’s be quite clear, we are talking about a very small country here: over 20 clerical abusers already documented in the Ferns report - and no doubt very many more to be revealed across the country. This cannot be regarded as anything other than the biggest scandal in the history of the country.
The reason Mr Ahern has not voiced stronger condemnation is because to do so would be to dislodge the very cornerstone of a Church/State society laid down by his party over 80 years ago. Revelations in recent years have suggested a Republic built on sand - a State that has failed too many of its people spiritually and politically.
The Church’s confessions have been heard, and now it finds itself floating down the Liffey without a life-raft.
The tribunals on corruption have also unearthed too many past and present unsavoury front pew Catholic politicians entrusted with the running of the State, where it has been discovered that the removal of wrist watches would be essential before offering them the sign of peace.
For most of the last century, Eamon de Valera fostered the dream of an idyllic Catholic Ireland for everyone.
Little could he have realised that his ideology would finish up discredited, disgraced and washed ashore on the Wexford coastline.
Brendan Buffini
7 Impasse Du Millat
Givrand, 85800
Vendee
France
