Sotto Voce...Comment on CSA Files

My dear bloggies, it is rare for me to personally comment on any issue here, and when I do, it is with the intention of giving my personal opinion which is effectively dual in its presentation...personal and clerical.

Since the beginning of February, I have posted commentary, contribution, condemnation and condoning of the actions of Cardinal Emeritus Desmond CONNELL who has seemingly lodged objections to the Irish High Court in an attempt to prevent over 5,000 files in relation to Child Sex Abuse in the Archdiocese of Dublin from being made public or available to the Commission established by the Irish Government to investigate these horrendous crimes.

It seems that the Cardinal Emeritus only decided to enlighten his sucessor, Archbishop Diarmuid MARTIN of this course of action with as minimum time as possible to permit discussion or otherwise. At present, the case stands adjourned until this coming Monday, February 11th, 2008 again in the Irish High Court.

The actions of the ailing Cardinal Emeritus has certianly brought into focus in a fashion that would be contrary to that hoped for by AB MARTIN who really was posted to Dublin as overseer of this issue which Cardinal Emeritus CONNELL himself admitted had dogged his tenure as Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin (appointed AB of Dublin in 1988 and then elevated to Cardinal at consistory of 2001) up to, including and now obviously past his retirment in 2004.

Cardinal Emeritus CONNELL was suceeded by AB Diarmuid MARTIN, a high ranking Vatican diplomat who was to ensure that the allegations of CSA in the Archdiocese of Dublin were to be fully investigated, and this was to begin with the Irish Government establishing the Commission of Investigation into Child Sexual Abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese (CICSADA) at which CONNELL gave evidence in 2006.

CONNELL gave an undertaking at the time to co-operate fully with the Commission but now there seems to be a problem in that CONNELL has now claimed that over 5,000 files should not be available to the Commission (CICSADA) as they were complied under the Seal...but he has failed to state categorically which Seal - the Pastoral or the Confessional - but he is legally claiming privelige and had stated in 2006 in Rome after the Irish Bishops ad limina visit to Il Papa that he was willing to go to jail rather than hand over the files.

AB MARTIN flew to Rome last weekend in a private capacity and met with CONNELL to discuss the matter as it does seem to be causing confusion, embaressment, hurt, anguish and credibility issues (to name but a few) in the eyes of the public, and in many ways, I do feel for the victims and also for AB MARTIN who seems to have been knifed in the back by his predecessor.

However, by his very actions, CONNELL is now being isolated en masse by the hierarchy, and he may well yet be better advised remain in his sick bed in Rome for the forseeable future, if any, as he certainly would be foolish to return to Ireland just yet. He is an academic and by his own way of doing things, may very well believe he is well within his rights to behave as he has done which he is entitled to as a citizen of Ireland and his rights are so enshrined in our Bunreacht (Constitution), but he has conveniently forgotten the rights of those victims - and in 2 very basic ways.

Constitutional Rights - the victims in these cases have every right to be heard, defended and supported by the organs of the State in tandem with the RC Church, and it is incumbent upon all to ensure that the co-operation forged between RC Church and State in that regard is now not torn asunder by the arrogance, high handedness and sleveen type behaviour of an ill, decrepid and arrogant man who seems to still believe that children can still be abused but not allowed heard!!!

Gospel / Christian Rights - was it not Christ who advised woe unto him who interfered with children that he be cast into the deep with a millstone around their neck?? In all of this, what seems to have been (conveniently(?)) forgotten is the teachings and actions of Christ Himself (sounds like Boston and LA all over again!!!) who would not allow such actions to be associated with His name.

CONNELL seems to believe that the RC Church exists in every way as it did when he was younger but not when it comes to the covering up of CSA it certainly does not...at least if the actions of AB MARTIN and of Auxiliary Bishop WALSH (he of FERNS REPORT fame) are to be taken at their word and indeed that of the Irish Hierarchy...

My question in all of this which as of yet seems to remain unanswered...where is the compassion? support? understanding? committment?

But most important of all...where is Christ?

Let me say this to all concerned...my prayers and thoughts are with you all, and let us all ask that Christ be permitted into this situation and maybe just maybe that which is anathema to him will be diminished and all of us humbled.

WE CAN BUT PRAY, AND PRAY WE MUST

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Sotto Voce