Ovation for Priest Who Slams Sex Abuse Deal, The Nationalist, May 2009

Ovation for Priest Who Slams Sex Abuse Deal

The Nationalist
May 2009

http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/tabId/511/itemId/2985/Ovation-for-priest-who-slams-sex-abuse-deal.aspx

A CATHOLIC priest received a round of applause when he voiced his anger at the religious orders and his own Church for fighting victims of sexual and physical abuse. The victims are now "serving a life sentence", he said.

Fr Rory Nolan made his hard-hitting comments during his sermon at the 8.30am Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow on Sunday morning. Mass-goers applauded the Carlow IT chaplain when he said: "What makes me angry is the attitude of religious orders and the Church that fought the Ryan Commission in the courts. It's sickening that those who perpetrated theses acts are protected, while their victims serve a life sentence. Their only crimes: being orphans, mitching from school, coming from single parent families; their punishment: physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

"And men and women hide behind the robes of the Supreme Court and still it seems the victims don't get the justice they deserve," he added.

Fr Nolan said that since he was ordained a priest almost 12 years ago, there have been times when sharing the word of God has been difficult, but none more so than on Sunday last. "The publishing of the Ryan Commission has left me extremely angry that, in the name of Christ, so many lives were destroyed by people who should have been the ones these children could trust."

A member of the congregation at last Sunday morning's Mass, told The Nationalist how Fr Nolan's words had a profound effect on the congregation. The parishioner, who did not want to be identified, said he applauded Fr Nolan for having the courage to go on the record and speak out about an issue that clergy up to then had been avoiding.

"You have to admire Fr Nolan for his courage and honesty on Sunday morning last, because up to that, no other clergy had come out to condemn what had happened in our Church," he said. "I was very pleased to hear what he had to say because, up to that, Church leaders had been fudging around this issue."

The parishioner added: "You have to appreciate the enormity of what Fr Nolan said. I am very pleased that a member of the Church has stated in public what people are saying on the street." Addressing the congregation on the feast of the Ascension, Fr Nolan said: "It could be a great feast of hope if justice was carried through for the thousands of innocent victims of Church and State.

He concluded his sermon by saying: "My prayer today is for the victims who continue to suffer and to remember those who have died: may they see the perpetrators of these acts brought to justice."

Fr Nolan said the scandal, which has rocked the Catholic Church to its foundations and is being described as 'Ireland's holocaust', should never be allowed happen again.

If you are a victim of religious child sex abuse, you can contact a free helpline by phoning 1800 235234. The HSE's Connect service provides out-of-hours (Wednesday- Sunday, 6pm-10pm) free telephone counselling on 1800 235235. See also www.connectcounselling.ie.