Yesterday has to have been one of the worst days to be Irish and Catholic. I have not read Justice Ryan report and in a sense do not wish to. Seeing and reading the headlines is enough to make any normal person feel both sad and angry.
My father and uncle went to Christian Brothers school and shuddered at the memories of physical punishment inflicted on them - sticks - straps with studs....I thought this was exaggeration. They were not angels I am sure but did they deserve this? I think not.
It should be recognised that thousands of children went to Catholic schools and had a good education and were not abused in anyway. Therefore, I hope that not all priests and religious orders are tarred with this scandal. The vast majority provide excellent and much needed services to children and people in need across society on both parts of this island.
The Catholic Church in Ireland has a massive job to do to recover a position of trust in society. Saying sorry is not good enough. Hiding behind legal rulings is not good enough. Hiding files, moving clergy, covering it up is not good enough. We have just seen the Speaker of the House of Commons resign over the expenses scandal. Church leaders need to do likewise. Catholics speak about penance. Any priest or religious order found to have carried out these devastating crimes needs to be named and if possible brought to court.
The victims should not have to go through any further trauma over the abuse of trust, responsibility and or the physical, mental and sexual abuse at the hands of people that we were always taught to view with respect.
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