Further to the posting before this is one entitled 'Priests 'spat on' due to sex abuse scandals' it is with regret here in CW that we bring to your attention some more examples of clerical public abuse which have occurred since the publication of the Cloyne report just a few weeks ago.
We will give some idea of these occurrences as brought to our attention within the last few weeks and days, and it should be noted those who have written us are genuine, hard-working priests who are as hurt, appalled and offended as every right thinking person in relation to the abuse and the cover-up of such abuse.
In the West of Ireland, encouraged perhaps by the story of Fr Brendan Hoban, a priest only last week and into the weekend, has endured a trial of comedies in relation to a certain Irish owned company which saw him getting a rather belligerent telephone call from the manager of the company (a Mr P McD) who even shouted down the telephone at the priest to 'shut up' and then threatened the priest with the Gardaí!! It is a story which shall be printed in full by the weekend and having heard the recordings of the call ourselves, we are also making it (and other recordings available to those interested parties who make contact with us!! (email address to the sidebar)
A Dublin based priest has told of how he no longer uses his title when now dealing with Government departments now as they tend to be rather arrogant on the telephone towards him as he belongs to one of the Orders in the Ryan Report. The Departments who he has had the most contempt shown to him by are the Office of the Taoiseach, Department of An Tánaiste, Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare.
In Cork, another priest tells of how he rang the Government Publications Office a matter of days after the publishing of the Cloyne Report and was treated rather contemptuously by the staff member he spoke with and felt that he was being judged and treated as if he had also committed such abominable offences. He came off the phone feeling very belittled and war weary - and this after 15 minutes of a call.
These are just a small insight into how attitudes have changed and all priests and religious are being treated now in a way that should be justly reserved for those who committed the crimes and those who covered it all up.
The ordinary priest who had no hand, act or part in the offences is now being besmirched and isolated in such a way as to be unfair and inhumane.
It is time for us all to reflect on what is undoubtedly a difficult and challenging time for all - clergy and laity alike because at the end of the day, in all of this, all are church...
Seán Keohane
Editor-In-Chief