EAMON MARTIN IS OFF TO ROME NEXT MONTH FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING ABOUT THE CHILD ABUSE ISSUE IN THE RC CHURCH.
He has decided to “consult” the rest of us about the issue. Is that not very kind of him?
These are the questions he wants answered and here are my answers:
- How would you describe the present situation regarding sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church in Ireland?
The present situation is very little different than the situation in the recent and historic past. The Irish bishops and clergy are only doing something about the sexual abuse because of the pressure they are under publicly.
They are not really committed to safeguarding.
They are only doing it because the public regard them as a thundering disgrace and because they are afraid of being brought to court and have to hand over their millions. They are not committed to the safety of children for its own sake. They are cynics.
2. How would you describe the level of awareness of this topic among the public?
In your opinion, what are the greatest risk factors for the sexual abuse of minors in Ireland?
The level of awareness of both abuse and the rottenness of the RC institution is extremely high.
The greatest risk factor is the lack of commitment to victims and survivors – as evidence by Noel Treanor’s refusal to meet the victims of St. Matthew’s parish, Belfast.
3. What are the factors in Ireland that contribute to a lack of adequate response by the Church in dealing with child sexual abuse?
The factor that the bishops and clergy turn to lawyers instead of to the teachings of Jesus Christ when abuse presents itself.
4. What are the most effective preventive measures that the Catholic Church in Ireland has adopted to protect children from sexual abuse in the Church?
I cannot see any truly effective preventative measures. I think the whole safeguarding system in the RC church is expensive window dressing.
5. If you had one key message to communicate to the meeting in Rome on this issue, what would it be?
To remove abusing and cover up bishops and priests from the priesthood permanently and hand them over to the civil authorities for swift prosecution and sentencing.
THE MEETING IN ROME:
The upcoming meeting in Rome is all about window dressing – another one of Francis’ ploys to fool the world into thinking that they are doing something about the issues.
The sexual abuse of minors is only one issue.
The other issues are the bishops covering everything up and cardinals and bishops abusing seminarians and young priests.
What’s needed is to add the crimes of abuse of every kind into canon law with severe sentences like excommunication and dismissal from the clerical state for those who abuse their positions in anyway.
Of course that would mean that Francis himself and many bishops and cardinals would have to go.
The Vatican turkeys will never vote for that Christmas.
The situation is hopeless and totally out of control
And those attending the meeting will have a great time in posh hotels and Rome’s fine dining restaurants.
Of course, the biggest contradiction of all will be the virtual absence of victims, survivors and lay abuse experts.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 