Madam, - On the RTÉ 1 9pm news last Monday, Cardinal Sean Brady, speaking at a reception in his honour at Dublin Castle, claimed the Irish bishops were "united" in their "determination" to establish the truth concerning clerical sexual abuse in Ireland.
But the unity and determination of which he speaks is far from self-evident to many people whose lives and faith are affected by this distressing matter. It would seem that the Irish bishops, on the subject of clerical sexual abuse, could be divided into three categories.
There are a few who, are genuinely and sincerely seeking a solution, engage with the suffering of victims and the real problems posed for the institutional church.
There are some, good-hearted and decent (and probably the majority) who don't seem to know what end of them is up, or how to respond properly to the anguish caused by the sexual predations of some priests of the church.
And there are a few others who, themselves, are gravely dysfunctional human beings, completely lacking in the empathy demanded by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, towards those so profoundly betrayed and deeply wounded by "wolves among the flock".
As regards the "unity" and "determination" of bishops to engage seriously with the ongoing crisis in the Catholic Church, it would be worth knowing the level of commitment and understanding bishops have shown in striving to come to terms with the profound suffering of victims.
How many bishops have genuinely encountered - one to one - victims of predatory priests? How many bishops have read - and kept up to date with - studies, books and other scholarly works which address the devastating spiritual consequences of clerical sexual abuse for victims?
How many dioceses in Ireland have organised seminars, workshops, conferences, etc, which could, for example, facilitate meaningful encounters between the survivors of clerical sexual abuse and members of the clergy?
It is tragic that Government inquiries, High Courts and other such bodies are needed to investigate the Church on matters of clerical sexual abuse. True openness, to God the Holy Spirit, would have long ago exposed the clericalism, selfishness, narcissism, sociopathy and corruption that have given rise to these scandals.
The People of God are further betrayed by meaningless episcopal sound-bites, feigned "compassion" and PR exercises. These evils will continue to wound and damage God's Church until they are faced in a true spirit of abject contrition, heartfelt repentance and desire for real reform. - Yours, etc,
Fr PATRICK McCAFFERTY, Glen Road, Belfast.
Madam, - I am sorry to read in your edition of February 5th that Cardinal Connell feels he has been treated unfairly. His feelings relate to his complaint that he had not been informed of discussions between Archbishop Martin and the commission of inquiry into allegations of child sexual abuse in the Dublin archdiocese, concerning documents over which the Cardinal was claiming privilege.
My sorrow for the Cardinal, however, pales into insignificance compared with my feelings concerning the grotesque and unspeakably unfair treatment meted out by clerical child sexual abusers to their victims in the archdiocese of Dublin, or in any other archdiocese.
It is to be hoped that the more enlightened, open and Christian approach being adopted by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will prevail. - Yours, etc,
JOHN GEARY, Avoca Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Madam, - I cannot but comment, angrily, at the Catholic Church's reaction to VAT reduction on condoms, coming as it did on the same day that our good cardinal went to court in relation to child sex abuse by clergy. As the father of three grown women who will attend at Mass but refuse to recognise the sacrament of confession, for reasons which I can understand, I am appalled at the cardinal's attitude.
What are matters of "legal privilege" when it comes to examining the truth? The real question here is, just whom is Des Connell trying to protect? I doubt that it's himself. But if the Taoiseach is being hammered for much less, why should the cardinal be given such indulgence?
His attitude, in stark contrast to that of our archbishop, is to be deplored. And examined in great detail. - Yours, etc,
JOE O'BRIEN, Coolamber Park, Dublin 16.