Perhaps no country has been more closely identified with the Roman Catholic Church than Ireland. That’s why it is more than surprising that Ireland’s prime minister took to the floor of his parliament Wednesday and severely criticized that church for frustrating the government’s inquiry into sex abuses by priests.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the House: “The rape and torture of children were downplayed or ‘managed’ to uphold instead the primacy of the institution, its power, standing and ‘reputation.’"
Then Kenny characterized the church – his church – as holding a position that was the polar opposite of “the radicalism, humility and compassion upon which the Roman church was founded.”
There’s more and you can read it all, including the Vatican’s reaction, by googling the Irish Times. All of Ireland is startled by this, including victims of sexual abuse, who have declared their gratitude for the statement.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
This article published on July 21, 2011.
