THERE WAS shock yesterday among parishioners in Co Wexford at the request by the Bishop of Ferns Denis Brennan for their help to pay compensation and legal bills resulting from clerical child sex abuse claims.
Many people in Enniscorthy said the money should come from the sale of church assets rather than the pockets of parishioners.
“It is absolutely disgusting, an insult to the people and an insult to the Catholic Church,” said Peggy Kenny.
“All the money they have and the buildings the own, Rome is the place that should pay or it,” she said, adding that it would turn people against the church.
Another regular churchgoer had not yet decided if she would give a donation towards the €60,000 a year sought by the Ferns Diocesan Committee.
“It might be more appropriate if the Vatican paid the shortfall as there are a lot of people here who are directly affected [by abuse],” said Margaret, who did not want her full name used.
The majority would be willing to give “a few extra bob” as part of their collection. However, she felt the bishops’ recent visit to Rome was “rubbing people’s noses in it”.
In contrast, a Eucharistic minister at St Aidan’s Cathedral said she would support a collection. “I would give as there is no point looking back, we need to look forward,” she said.
“We as Catholics need to be there to try and get behind the priest . . . What would happen if we had no priest?” she asked.
As with many locals, Margaret had high praise and respect for Dr Brennan, whom she said was always upfront.
“Before he was made bishop he was meeting people who were abused. I don’t think he should be held responsible for what went on before him. He is trying to deal with it the best he can and make things right,” she said.
Eilish Dempsey was very religious until the reports of abuse in the Ferns diocese became public. “The cheek of them. I am very surprised as the bishop is very well thought of. Rome and the bishops should sell off their assets to pay for it,” she said.
One man who was at the meeting on Monday at which Dr Brennan made the appeal said just one member of the public stood up to speak.“This is the biggest disaster that has ever happened. It’s absolutely crazy to ask people given the property they have and the state the town’s economy is in,” the man said, asking not to be named due to his involvement in the parish. “I’m a Mass-goer and I won’t give money to this,” he whispered, standing on the main street of the town.
Paula Davis was among many who said that the church should sell assets and not ask parishioners for money.
“It’s disgraceful to expect the parish to pay for paedophile priests. They should sell off their assets to do this,” she said. “It’s like getting into debt and asking the priest to pay for something you’d done wrong.”
David Chambers said the diocese must have “blinkers on” asking for money. “Why should parishioners have to pay?”
Trained counsellor Julie Whelan asked how this would help the victims: “How will this ever take away their life of pain and torment?”