Madam, - I served as a priest in the diocese of Cloyne from 1992-1999. I ministered in the parishes of Rockchapel & Meelin, and Ballynoe, Conna & Glengoura. When I was summoned by Bishop John Magee to his palace in September 1997 for the diocesan changes, I informed him of my moral dilemma. I wished to resign my position and leave the ministry.
I stated: "I cannot baptise innocent children into a system where they run the risk of child sexual abuse and never see justice". Furthermore I stated that: "I cannot recommend the priesthood to young men because it lacks credibility".
Bishop John looked at his vicar general, Monsignor Denis O'Callaghan, and there was a wall of silence. Now I know why given the revelations of the Ferns Report. The rot was profound and endemic in the root and branch of the institutionalised structure.
There is no doubt in my mind that I personally had a duty of care to every child that I baptised into this structure. I have to admit publicly that I was traumatised by the evil practices that I witnessed at both seminary and diocesan level.
The church system was not safe for children or indeed for anyone who found themselves in a vulnerable position, be they clerical students or genuine, hard-working priests.
There was a deliberate strategy of collusion and cover-up. It was a criminal offence to speak the truth from within.
I now feel that it is time for me publicly to call on Bishop John Magee to resign his position as bishop. Indeed, in his capacity as shepherd of the flock he was entrusted to look after all the flock, not the interests of errant priests and the institutional structure.
Since I resigned I have repeatedly highlighted the need for survivors of abuse to have their experiences validated. Essentially they need to be listened to and believed.
They need access to all relevant information because they need closure so as to get on with the remainder of their lives.
The Roman Catholic Church can no longer be allowed to hold power and control over innocent abused victims. It is imperative that there is a national inquiry.
Indeed, the cowardly act of asking priests to take the lead by reading out a letter at Masses was a public relations disaster. It was another attempt to put a bandage on an infectious disease that requires radical surgery. - Yours, etc,
Fr MATTHEW RING, Shirley, Southampton.
Madam, - When a document bearing the imprimatur of the Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin can be dismissed by a professor from Maynooth as being "only the opinion of one single individual" (Nov 3rd), pity the ordinary Catholic trying to make out what the definitive teaching of the church is on an issue.
The professor tells us that it requires a "qualified person" to discern the weight to be given to such a document. So to which "qualified person" is the ordinary Catholic in the street to turn for enlightenment? - Yours, etc,
PATRICK NOLAN, Booterstown, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Thank you for publishing Michael McDowell's letter (Nov 8th). It is probably the most enlightening letter I have ever read from someone in government, on any subject.
The Catholic Church, as an institution, is full of very intelligent people quite capable of explaining to us that black is white. I sincerely hope that these resources will be put instead towards more honourable and noble objectives. - Yours, etc,
CAITRIONA McCLEAN, Weston Ave, Lucan.