Vatican Set to Send Bishop to Help Brady

By Fiona Dillon
Herald
May 5, 2012

http://www.herald.ie/news/vatican-set-to-send-bishop-to-help-brady-3101213.html

Cardinal Brady

THE Vatican is expected to quickly appoint a Bishop to assist Cardinal Sean Brady as he battles calls for him to resign as Primate of All Ireland.

Pressure is being ratcheted up on him to step down over his handling of the allegations against paedophile priest Brendan Smyth in 1975.

However, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has vehemently denied that some politicians were trying to hound Cardinal Brady out of office.

He said it was the responsibility of the Church and not the Government to decide who remains in or leaves a position.

But he said that it was the Government's duty to ensure that there was adequate protection for children.

Meanwhile, Joan Burton, the Minister for Social Protection, said: "He was a man in his middle 30s at the time who was a Doctor of Divinity.

"I personally think that he needs to reflect on his position, and were he to ask me for my view on a personal basis, I would say his position is not really sustainable."

Helen McGonigle, a US attorney who was abused by Fr Smyth said the cardinal should go.

"He didn't fulfil the function of a human being, a man in the secular world or follow secular law.

"And he can't see that," she said.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that the cardinal should "reflect" on the BBC programme, a documentary entitled The Shame of the Catholic Church, that contained new revelations about the handling of clerical abuse.

Speculation has been growing that the Vatican may appoint a Bishop to assist Cardinal Brady.

Cardinal Brady requested episcopal support in 2010 and that request has now been reactivated.

Contact: fdillon@herald.ie