The new Catholic Bishop of Clogher has said it may be no bad thing that the church has been brought to its knees by the child abuse crisis. Bishop Liam McDaid also said society was rightly checking that the church is sincere in its intentions and efforts towards rehabilitation.
He was addressing the congregation at his ordination in Monaghan this afternoon.
65-year-old Bishop McDaid who hails from Donegal, was ordained by Cardinal Sean Brady assisted by the outgoing Bishop Joe Duffy, and local-man Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan were accompanied by President Mary McAleese's Aide de Camp, Captain Niamh O'Mahony.
Northern Executive member, Michele Gildernew was among those representing the Fermanagh half of the diocese.
In his address, the new Bishop spoke of 'terrible failures' involving child abuse which society had 'forced' Irish Catholics to face up to.
'The surgeon's knife has been painful but necessary. A lot of evil and poison has been excised. There comes a time when the surgeon's knife has done what it can, is put away and a regime of rehabilitation for the patient is put in place.
We have been brought to our knees but maybe that is no bad thing.'
He praised the courage and fidelity of his fellow-bishops many of whom had been called to imitate Jesus Christ in carrying the sins of others. He said Jesus made no room in the Church for privilege, earthly pomp or power or for lording it over anyone.
'So while society keeps the mirror in front of us and rightly checks that we are sincere in our intentions and efforts towards rehabilitation, can I invite you, priests and people of the diocese of Clogher, to join me in a repentant return to the well of salvation.'
In an apparent reference to victims and survivors of abuse, the Bishop said there were many painful experiences in life where only forgiveness could bring closure.
SIC: RTÉ