Published: Wednesday, 24th March, 2010 5:00pm

Watery editorial on Cardinal Brady

Madam,

I was very disappointed to read your watery editorial on Cardinal Sean Brady in last week's edition of The Anglo-Celt. It baffles me how you can call for "rationale" to prevail.

Your editorial contains the following quotes "look at actions and events that take place in their time"; "Surely the norms of the time have to be considered?"; and "In terms of the Catholic Church hierarchy at that time, Canon law almost always took precedence over state law" - excuses trotted out by the hierarchy, which have been rightly dismissed as wholly inadequate and unacceptable, over the last week.

While calling for the head of Cardinal Brady may not solve all the problems caused by the Catholic Church's failings, it is essential that the institution and the individuals involved in any form of cover-up, are held accountable for their actions or inaction.

The behaviour of the Catholic hierarchy to date does not suggest that there is anything to be gained by taking a moderate view or allowing rational to prevail.

Given the self-serving nature of the institution, which puts it own preservation ahead of the welfare of children, change is unlikely to come from within. Having abused their standing in Irish society and the trust and faith of their ministry; they now have to show genuine humility and real atonement for the crimes committed by members and the subsequent mishandling of these.

Rationale may have prevailed for too long, it is time too take our heads out of the sand and face these issues in a mature and respectful manner.

Yours,

Aaron Binchy