Of all the responses from Church leaders to the Murphy Report, that of Bishop Donal Murray's is surely the most extraordinary.The former Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, whose behaviour in dealing with allegations against priests is described as 'inexcusable', said he would now be "guided by the priests and people" of his diocese in deciding what to do now.
Did we hear him right? Since when in the history of the Catholic Church in this country did a bishop defer to his flock on how he should act?
How many of the faithful know that they've now been given a say in the future of a Prince of the Church, who is, after all, appointed directly by the Pope?
Bishop Murray, currently serving as the Bishop of Limerick, was applauded when he apologised at Mass yesterday to anyone who may have been abused because of his failure to act appropriately on complaints.
But that isn't the point.
The Bishop was the subject of the most scathing criticism in a report which had harsh words about a lot of Church leaders and their role in the cover-up of the sexual abuse of children.
To say now that a Bishop would be "guided" by the people, in responding to the resignation calls, doesn't wash.
Bishops weren't "guided" by the distraught mothers who came to them with tales of how their children's innocence had been stolen.
They weren't guided by survivors of atrocious abuse who came forward so that other children might be spared the same fate.
And they certainly didn't ask their flocks for their opinions on what they should do when they discovered some paedophile priest or other was preying on parishioners' children. Why? Because they knew exactly what answer they'd get.
So, how are the people of Limerick to tell Bishop Murray that they want him to resign?
Will the 'vote' be confined to those good and decent people who, despite everything, have stuck by the Church?
Or will those who, as a result of their betrayal/disgust/disillusion with the Church no longer get involved, have a voice?
Popular votes never played a part in determining how Catholics should act in a particular situation.
No, that's what an informed conscience was for.
Bishop Murray should use his.
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