Survivors of sex abuse at the hands of Roman Catholic clergy told the head of the Church in Ireland today that he was a "lame duck cardinal" and should resign. Overturning a centuries-old tradition of deference towards the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Ireland, victims confronted Cardinal Seán Brady with their stark judgment during a face-to-face meeting at his residence in Armagh.
They spared him most of the details of the torture they suffered at the hands of priests, including rape and beatings with metal straps that they had been forced to manufacture themselves in workshops.
Some of that was published, in graphic and shocking detail, in the Ryan and Murphy Commission reports last year.
Instead, they told him what needed to be done to restore credibility to the Catholic Church in Ireland after a series of child abuse scandals, reports and commissions that have left it in disarray.
They won from him an acknowledgement that he would do his best to correct the injustices suffered by victims of the infamous Magdalene laundries, who have so far received little acknowledgement in terms of reparation from Church or State.
He indicated that he would support a national, cross-border inquiry into abuse in all 26 dioceses in Ireland.
The abuse survivors met Cardinal Brady over tea and scones at Ara Coeli, his residence close to the cathedral in Armagh.
With the cardinal was his assistant Father Tim Bartlett, the charismatic young theologian who many believe has the qualities to succeed Cardinal Brady as Archbishop of Armagh and restore credibility to the Church in Ireland.
Some of those who met the cardinal have not given up on their faith. They challenged the bishops to put in place measures for reconciliation between the Church and Catholics who want to remain in the Church.
But this time, they say, it is the laity's turn to hear the confession, and to be granted the power of absolution. The Church must show true repentance to be forgiven, and for that, many believe, a different leader is needed.
Some of those present today said that the cardinal had seemed close to tears. But one said that when told he ought to go for the good of the Church, he appeared defiant and determined to cling on.
When Pope Benedict XVI's letter, with its unprecedented excoriation of the Irish hierarchy, was published last week, Cardinal Brady pleaded for a "wounded healer" to be allowed a "new beginning".
That did not go down well with Marie Collins, abused by a hospital chaplain in Dublin when she was 13. "I would rather speak of him as a damaged leader," she said today after telling the cardinal he should step down.
Michael O'Brien, the former mayor of Clonmel in Co Tipperary who was abused as a boy in a religious institution, told the cardinal that he was happy with the Pope's apology but not happy with the rest of the letter.
"It was too much about the Church and too little about the victims of abuse. I told him he must gather all his bishops together and they must come clean about any other skeletons in their cupboards. I'm 77 years of age and am getting too old to continue with this. We need closure and need it urgently," he said.
"Something must be done and done soon. I want proper reparation and restitution to all victims of abuse. The Church is one of the richest organisations in the world. They can afford it."
John Kelly, from the Survivors of Child Abuse group, incarcerated for the crime of receiving a stolen chocolate bar from his brother, and repeatedly abused, told Cardinal Brady he was a "lame duck" leader.
"That is how people see him," he said. "The cardinal did get a bit emotional at that point. There was a sliver of emotion, of sadness.
"He said he is reflecting and taking into consideration what people are saying to him. He has received a lot of support from his local diocese. He said he is mindful of the feelings of people around the country and that he will be making a decision soon."
Patrick Walsh, sentenced by a secular judge to 14 years in a Catholic industrial school at the age of 2 for the crime of "improper guardianship" – his mother had sought a divorce from his father – said the cardinal had accepted that as Primate of All-Ireland he was responsible for the failings of the institution he headed.
Afterwards, Mr Walsh, over more tea and scones but this time with journalists at a nearby hotel, reflected on the progress that had been made.
"To think that ten years ago, when we started this campaign, I would one day sit down with the Primate and call him a lame-duck Primate. Would I have got away with that ten years ago? No, I would not."
Cardinal Brady has admitted that in 1975 he swore two children to secrecy about their abuse by the paedophile priest Father Brendan Smyth, who brought down the Irish government.
Cardinal Brady has said he will resign if asked to by Pope Benedict XVI.
Although he has indicated he will make a decision by Pentecost at the end of May, the meetings today merely increased the pressure he is facing to bring a decision forward, and will add to speculation that that decision can only be to go.
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