Smyth victim in Brady resign call
Mar 17, 2010
from the article on BBC News:
A victim of serial abuser Fr Brendan Smyth has called on the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland to resign.
Cardinal Sean Brady has admitted he was at meetings in 1975 where two abused children signed vows of silence over their complaints against Fr Smyth.
On Monday, a victim of Fr Smyth called Samantha told the BBC the church needed to "root out the rot and start from the top".
"This is not a witch hunt, this is about what is right," she added.
Samantha was abused by Fr Smyth, while she was at boarding school from 1974 to 1979.
"I just feel such sadness and such loss and there is just no need for it, if people had done what they are supposed to do and as adults, forget about the fact that they were priests," she said.
"It is an adult's job to protect children, regardless if it was 35 years ago or today and if he (Cardinal Brady) had done what he was supposed to do, I wouldn't have been raped or abused for four of those five years.
"I just think it is so wrong. And I am one of the lucky unlucky ones, at least I can talk about it.
"I am still alive, I know two people who were abused by Brendan Smyth in that same school who have committed suicide."
The two children are reported to have been aged 10 and 14 when the meetings took place in 1975.
Cardinal Brady has said he will only resign over claims he helped cover up abuse if he is asked to do so by the Pope.
"There was no cover up, I believed those people. I brought what I heard to the bishop," he said.
Cardinal Brady said he had been following his bishop's orders and there were no guidelines for dealing with such investigations at that time.
"Now I know with hindsight that I should have done more.
"I thought at that time I was doing what I was required to do, and not just that, but most effectively. I acted with great urgency to get that evidence and produce it," he said.
"I believed in doing so, I was following the most effective route to get this stopped. That is my concern and always was - the safety of children."
He said his actions were part of a process that removed Smyth's licence to act as a priest.
He said he did not believe this was a resigning matter.
clergy abuse scandal in Europe & restorative justice
I have written on the subject of the clergy abuse cases and the Catholic Church on this blog but also in other venues since 2001. As we have seen it appears that no actions have been taken (by the Catholic Church) that take seriously the need to hold offenders accountable for their crimes of abuse of minors (and sometimes adults). Some might disagree with that comment; however, as you read these stories coming out of Germany and Ireland, in particular, I do not think I am wrong.
What can be done? How could restorative justice be applied here? Is it possible? The abuse and, yes, the cover up of the abuse of victims runs deep and involves many. Perhaps it is time for a commission to be formed that is similar to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission used in South Africa (and other places). Maybe one is formed or maybe more (i.e. possible commissions established in targeted countries, to start).
Who would lead such commission to investigate these crimes? Who would sit on these commmissions? What we do not need are commissions that do not get to the truth and that do not take seriously the offenses committed and those leaders in the Catholic Church who had the power to stop the abuse.
What power would these commissions have to mete out justice?
For those who tire of these stories, I think of the victims of abuse who have lived with the horror of the abuse especially when the offenders have never been held responsible for their crimes. In a world where sex offenders are increasingly faced with more serious sentences (even to the extent of being ostracized from society) it is hard to see the response to these crimes committed against children by priests. Somehow it is seen as different. Why is that? Why are these actions not processed as crimes?
These victims do deserve justice. They should have a chance to heal and be restored as much as possible. But that cannot occur in a vacuum. Restorative justice requires that the offender takes responsibility. It requires that the offender change his behavior. It requires that a dialogue occur between victim and offender (perhaps using circles) in a way that is meaningful to the victim. In what way could priests be held accountable to their victims?
Is it complicated? Of course. But I do not think it is impossible.
We need to be involved in responding to these tragic crimes. If not us, who? Who will come along side the victims?
I am willing to continue to work on this problem. Join me if you feel led to as well.
Lisa Rea
Rea Consulting
Victims-Driven Restorative Justice
California, U.S.