Ireland Online
March 16, 2010
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/rabbitte-brady-must-step-down-450183.html
IRELAND -- Labour's justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte has called for the resignation of Cardinal Seán Brady.
The Primate of all-Ireland has faced mounting calls for him to step down since it emerged he interviewed two abuse victims in 1975, and the children were sworn to secrecy about their ordeal at the hands of Fr Brendan Smyth.
Deputy Rabbitte said it is not known how many young people would have been spared attacks if action had been taken then.
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He believes the Cardinal has been left with no option but to step down.
"It's a most serious development," Deputy Rabbitte said.
"I can't see any way how Cardinal Seán Brady can weather the storm, or should want to weather the storm.
"I don't understand how it is that he never discussed this matter with his fellow bishops and it really is the most serious development imaginable."
The Catholic Communications Office is insisting that Cardinal Brady acted accordingly when he was asked to invterview two child victims of Fr Smyth.
The CCO today issued a statement saying the then Fr Sean Brady was asked to fulfil the role he did because he held a doctorate in Canon Law.
It also points out that the State's and the Church's first guidelines on abuse only came into effect in 1987 and 1996 respectively.
But Deputy Rabbitte said the fact that Fr Smyth wasn't stopped from abusing again is unforgivable.
Cardinal Brady has insisted he won't resign because he was not in a position of authority at the time.
Abuse survivor Christine Buckley is however critical of Cardinal Brady's stance.
"What about moral authority?" she said.
"What is the teaching of the Church? What is the reason for priests studying theology for all of those years when they cannot apply what they learn and put it into practice.
"There is no authority needed when you are speaking about the most heinous of crimes; the raping of children."
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