SENIOR CATHOLIC Church clergy did not make any comment during weekend
Masses on Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s stinging criticism of the Holy See’s
role in covering up cases of clerical child sex abuse.
Many Irish bishops are on leave and have not been available for comment on the Taoiseach’s address.
In
language never used by an Irish government leader, Enda Kenny last week
accused the Vatican of downplaying the rape and torture of children in
order to uphold its own power and reputation.
Neither Archbishop
of Dublin Diarmuid Martin nor Catholic Primate of All Ireland Cardinal
Seán Brady made any comments at weekend Masses.
Other senior clergy or
their spokespeople were unavailable for comment.
Responding to the
Taoiseach’s comments last week, Archbishop Martin said lessons had to
be learned by looking at past failings, and emphasised people were let
down “across the board”.
The Taoiseach’s speech was reported
around the world, with many media organisations suggesting it signified a
new low in relations between the State and the Vatican.