Cardinal Sean Brady Must Go, Cristina Odone, Telegraph, March 20, 2010

Cardinal Sean Brady Must Go

By Cristina Odone
Telegraph
March 20, 2010

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/cristinaodone/100030842/cardinal-sean-brady-must-go/

Cardinal Brady should be forced to resign

Pope Benedict’s letter was a beautiful, lengthy and heartfelt mea culpa. He sounded genuine in his condemnation of abusive priests. He sounded properly contrite in his pastoral address to the victims and their parents. He held out hope that trust could once again be rebuilt between the Catholic clergy and the community they are to serve. And if Benedict XVI himself had read out his letter, I am sure I would have been moved to tears. But I wasn’t, because the unprecedented apology was read out by Cardinal Sean Brady.

The Primate of All Ireland has been clearly and publicly implicated in the paedophile scandal: he accepted the suppression of the truth, and did nothing to help two young boys who were forcibly silenced by the Church. Having indicated that he might resign when his scandalous behaviour first came to light a few months ago, here he was, still in his Cardinal’s hat and robes, reading the Pope’s letter as if he were worthy to lead his Irish flock.

It was stomach-churning stuff, and risked undermining the Pope’s good work. It looked as if the Church talked the talk but let the abusers and their protectors walk free. It sent out the very worst signal of arrogance and self-righteousness at a time when even the most loyal Catholics feel their faith under strain.

These are dark times for the Church. More victims will come forward, more scandals will come to light. During such a crisis, the Church’s leadership must be irreproachable and humble. Cardinal Brady shows himself to be neither.

The Cardinal is saying he will spend the rest of Lent reflecting upon his future. Even if the Cardinal were to swap his red hat for a hair shirt, and sleep on a bed of nails, I’m not sure anyone thinks his Lenten reflection is all that is required of him. The Pope should call the Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh to Rome and ask him to tender his resignation. This would be seen as righting a wrong, and, put bluntly, it would be good PR for a brand that badly needs rehabilitation.

Brady must go.