RONAN MULLEN (Ind) said he would like to see Archbishop Diarmuid Martin engage in robust debate with those in the church whom he felt were in denial about clerical child sexual abuse.The Archbishop of Dublin had done a very real service by his fine speech and clear analysis.
He should go further and clarify some of what he had said in relation to people who did not want the full truth of this terrible story to come out.
“Any denial of what is true or any minimising of what is evil is contrary not only to Christianity itself but to good citizenship.”
David Norris (Ind) said the forces within the church of whom the archbishop had spoken were a reality.
This was clear from reports that a former Vatican secretary of state had been accused of inhibiting an inquiry into Cardinal Groer of Vienna and the molestation of young priests in Vienna.
“This was very shocking. So I think he is right, and decent people in the church deserve support.”
Joe O’Toole (Ind) said he found it mindblowing that Dr Martin had said, “with great courage indeed”, that he knew there were church people who would prefer that the truth about such abuse did not emerge.
It was concerning to learn there were forces in the church determined to conceal the truth.
“The archbishop deserves any support we can give him. He does need to bring it further. We need to know more. I thought it couldn’t get any worse. I thought we had heard everything.”
Mr O’Toole said he was not talking just about members of religious orders or clergy.
Liam Twomey (FG) said most child abuse happened in the home and it often divided families, some of whom supported the victim and others, the perpetrator.
“We need not be a bit surprised that Diarmuid Martin is encountering darker forces within the church who are obstructing the type of work that he wants to encourage.”
SIC: IT