by Tom Boyle
The Murphy Report (Dublin)
Judge Yvonne Murphy conducted an independent report to investigate how the Church dealt with allegations of sexual abuse of children by priests from 1975 to 2004. The report concluded the way the Dublin Archdiocese dealt with cases of child sexual abuse was to, maintain secrecy, avoid scandal, and protect the reputation of the Church and the preservation of its assets. No consideration was given to the welfare of children or justice for victims. The Archdiocese did not implement canon law in order to avoid the law of Irish state, they protected the offenders. An investigation by the Garda Siochana “God Squad” produced “nothing of substance?” This, in spite of the fact that priests were transferred to other parishes where they continued to abuse, and despite public admissions, that no relative information was given to the authorities. No charges will be made against senior church members. Pardon me while I puke! This has played out like the cover-up in Chicago. The commission identified 320 victims between 1975 and 2004, and 120 victims from May of 2004. Four Archbishops, John Charles McQuaid, Dermot Ryan, Kevin McNamara, and Desmond Connors, who served during that time, handled complaints badly. Talk about understated complicity. One priest admitted to over 100 cases of abuse. Another admitted to abusing somebody every two weeks for twenty-five years. That’s 650 victims, and this pervert said Mass every day and administered the Sacraments!
The reports in the Irish Independent and The Sunday Business Post are so condemning, I don’t think you will find much more than empty pews in the churches. The Bishops and Archbishops covered it up, the Cardinal covered it up, the Papal Nuncio covered it up, and the Pope knew it!
When I read Sinead O’Connor’s letter, I thought asking the Pope to step down was a little over the top, not anymore! The cover-up goes all the way to Vatican City.
I’m sure somebody will react to this by saying “you’re hurting the good priests.” What’s important here is that the abuse stops, and if there are still pedophiles hiding in the priesthood, let’s root them out. Don’t forget, priests live in the rectory. If you were living under the same roof with someone, don’t you think you would know who might be deviant? The “Code of Silence” has been steadfastly enforced and that’s just as bad as committing the sin. If it was your child, what would you do? I think I know! Some of these priests actually visited the homes of their victims and abused them while the family was at home.
The Garda need a wake up call. They must distance themselves from the Church hierarchy. They are just as responsible as the Bishops, the Cardinal, the Papal Nuncio and the Pope himself, for allowing the abuse to continue. It’s time to stop!
Many thanks to my cousin, Dermott Cooney, for sending me all the articles from the Sunday Tribune, the Sunday Independent, and The Sunday Business Post.
From Ireland’s Sunday Tribune of 6 December 2009:
“Brady also said church authorities would be working with Minister for Children, Barry Andrews, and others to ensure the church observes ‘the highest standards of child safeguarding’ throughout the country.
Despite this commitment, 19 out of 26 dioceses around the country are continuing to use priests as their designated child protection ‘delegates’, so it is left to them to deal directly with potentially traumatised abuse victims rather than independently trained and appointed specialists in the area.”
From Ireland’s The Sunday Business Post of 6 December 2009:
“The commission investigating the handling of abuse claims in the diocese of Cloyne has said it will not use diplomatic channels to request information from the Vatican.
A spokesman for the three-person commission, which also conducted last month’s report into abuse in the Dublin archdiocese, said that the inquiry team took the view that it was seeking information from the Church as a body, and not from the Vatican as a state.
The Vatican has said it will not correspond with any inquiry outside diplomatic channels via the Department of Foregn Affairs.
The Vatican and Papal Nuncio did not respond to correspondence from the commission, which was headed by Judge Yvonne Murphy, when it was working on its investigation into the handling of abuse claims in Dublin.”
The Sunday Independent headline for November 29, 2009 read: “Martin: Is there a paedophile ring? Disturbing connections between abusing priests prompts Archbishop’s request to gardai for further investigation.”
Cook County Board
The race is heating up with Dorothy Brown taking an early lead in the polls. The three black candidates are all ahead of Terry O’Brien, the “great white hope,” in the polls. This poll only involved 500 people and that’s not a very big sample. Our friend Todd Stroger is running third.
If once again we encounter voter apathy and vote strictly along party lines, we’ll get more of the same. Some of the candidates are running on reform platforms. Who’s telling the truth? It looks as though Todd Stroger will not be endorsed by Mayor Daley. It will be interesting to see how the Democrats sort this one out. After reading Cliff Carlson’s interview with Terry O’Brien in last month’s issue of IAN, I would be willing to support Mr. O’Brien if he follows through on the statements he made regarding cost cutting measures in County government.
Bishop McDevitt
After 12 straight wins, Bishop McDevitt’s football season came to an end, losing to Cumberland Valley in double overtime on Saturday, December 5th. They played like champions and left it all on the field. My grand nephew, Victor Shaffer, has had a number of major universities express interest in having him attend their school, not only for his athletic abilities, but for his scholastic capabilities as well.
IAHC Christmas Bazaar
My favorite day at the Center, Mass with a great homily about Saint Nicholas of Myra, the original Santa Claus, by Father Langsdorf. The name Santa Claus comes from the Dutch “Sinterklaas.” Mass is followed by breakfast in the elegant Erin Room. We had an interesting group at the breakfast table. Ann Dalton, Bridie Boyle from Castle Gregory on the Dingle peninsula, where my cousin Patricia Casey Fitzgerald lives. Also at the table was Nora Kirrand, Pete Lamb, Gerry Archbold, Tom Looney, John and Corina Fitzpatrick, along with Conor O’Keefe.
Chicago Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 13, 2010. On Thursday, January 28, 2010, the Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner which is the fundraiser for the Parade will be held at Plumber’s Hall. Tickets are $70 each. If you want to order a table, you can call Patty Fadden at 312-421-1010. The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Queen Contest will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2010. If you know a young woman who would like to enter the contest, simply go to the Chicago Saint Patrick’s Day Parade website, where you can download the necessary forms (www.chicagostpatsparade.com).
Judges
Please don’t forget Terry McCarthy, Dan Malone, John Griffin, and Russell Hartigan. I highly recommend these men.
