Friday, May 04, 2012

Martin calls for Brady to consider position

Fianna Fáil leader, and Cork South Central TD, Micheal Martin, has called on Cardinal Sean Brady to consider his position as Primate of the Catholic Church in Ireland. 

"I think his authority has been very seriously undermined with what has happened," said Deputy Martin. 

Deputy Martin was speaking on the alleged inactions by Cardinal Brady to fail to report clerical abuse in 1975 by Fr Brendan Smyth, as exposed in a BBC documentary this week.  

The Fianna Fáil leader had joined a chorus of other senior politicians calling for the Primate to reflect on his position, which he is due to retire from in 2014. 

Tánaiste, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore was deeply critical of the inactions by those in the Church who were aware of abuse by members of the clergy - sexual or otherwise. 

"It is my personal view that anybody who did not deal with the scale of the abuse that we have seen in this case should not hold a position of authority," said the Minister.

The Taoiseach had earlier this week called for the Cardinal to reflect on his position.