THE church hierarchy is experiencing its own long dark night of the soul in Ireland; whatever unease it is experiencing, it is unlikely to reach the depths of pain inflicted on innocent child victims of clerical abuse.That the spotlight has been taken off the crimes of abusers because of the dithering by those who failed to take their responsibilities seriously enough, adding to the hurt and betrayal felt by sufferers.
In a nutshell, the discomfort of bishops over their moral lapses and disastrous failures is an unseemly distraction.
So damning was the Murphy report on abuse that the institution of the Catholic Church in Ireland should be concerned more with putting new foundations in place than with wasting time buttressing up dead wood.
The abuse scandal can be summed up by the perceived supremacy of church law over God's law. The Murphy report spelled this out baldly by stating that the preservation of reputation and assets was deemed more important than the protection of defenceless children. It is a further outrage, therefore, that those whose actions effectively shielded abusers can still drag their feet over meeting their responsibilities.
The behaviour of the Vatican in failing to even acknowledge the Murphy inquiry, or respond to its communications, also speaks volumes.
Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin will travel to Rome this week. Part of their mission will be to convey the sense of anger and betrayal felt by Irish Catholics. Both men have come out of these wretched last few days well.
They have recognised the enormity of the harm done and have sincerely resolved to do better.
Until recently the preservation of the moral authority of the hierarchy here could be assured by belting the congregation over the head with a well-aimed crozier.
Those days must be gone for good.
Gratifying though they may well be, we have moved beyond heads on plates or sacrificial lambs as a means of atonement.
It is important to understand that this is not about church-bashing -- it is about rebuilding a trust that has been shattered.
What the hierarchy really needs in order to regain credibility is to rediscover a sense of compassion, humility, and service.
Only then will the healing begin.
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SIC: II