Readers' Blog: The Catholic Church was given far too much power

On your letter column on August 28, Patrick Dalton wrote of us being collectively responsible for the society we live in – going on to say, “who said stop when families handed over their ‘fallen’ daughters to institutions? Who said stop when the State broke up struggling families and put their children into care? Who said stop when Irish priests, brothers and nuns abused these citizens?”

So, Patrick Dalton believes we are responsible collectively and that “the shame of this inaction lies with us alone”. For centuries the Catholic Church has had tremendous power in Ireland; communities respected, looked up to religious priests particularly. I believe the Church had excess power. Power is a gift and if divinely given has wonderful potential to help people to better their lives.