IRELAND
Irish Times
Thursday, March 09, 2017
Prof James M Smith
Prof James M Smith says that the Church either knew what was happening in Tuam and did nothing or that its bishops never fulfilled their pastoral duty under Canon Law
The Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, is “horrified and saddened” by revelations confirming the presence of significant human remains, thought to be those of some 796 children, buried in an underground sewage treatment works at the former Sisters of the Bon Secours’ Children’s Home in the town.
Speaking last Sunday morning, Dr Neary reflected on a by-gone era: “This points to a time of great suffering and pain for the little ones and their mothers. I can only begin to imagine the huge emotional wrench which the mothers suffered in giving up their babies for adoption or by witnessing their death.”
Media coverage of the story in the intervening days suggests that the “time of great suffering and pain” continues unabated.
The point here is not to scapegoat one bishop. That said, it is telling that the Archdiocese has yet (at the time of going to print) to address the issue on its website, despite running a “breaking news” banner on its homepage.
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