Pope must meet Church abuse survivors as an exorcism of the shame

THE Mass rock was a place where people forced to hide their faith prayed for fear of persecution. It was fitting therefore for Bishop Brendan Leahy to deliver his homily from just such a sanctuary in Killeedy. With the arrival of Pope Francis in Ireland within days, to what will be the biggest gathering in Europe this year, Bishop Leahy said this was a critical time for the Church to reflect on both good and bad.

Some within the hierarchy see themselves as the hunted on the run from an unreasonable and unappreciative flock that has turned on them. But as the bishop pointed out, in some way, everyone in the Church bears the shame of the dark aspects of its history. It is time to exorcise that shame and erase the stain. So it is imperative that the Vatican announces that Pope Francis will meet with those who have suffered abuse by members of the clergy. They have been grievously wronged and not to meet them would add to the anguish.

Bishop Leahy listed the litany of issues that have damned the Catholic Church here in recent decades. He acknowledged that there was a cover-up, wilful or otherwise, and mismanagement, and both had compounded the damage adding to the shame.

Earlier this month, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said “time is very tight” for Pope Francis to meet survivors of abuse during his visit. He pointed out that the pontiff will be in the country for only 36 hours. Yet it would be unconscionable given the terrible betrayal by priests and bishops – and all who turned a blind eye – if the Pope did not spend meaningful time with those who have been so hurt.

The moral case to do so is so overwhelming that it seems absurd that there could be any doubt in the first place.

THE Church has been guilty of concealing this evil in its midst and actively protecting those responsible for destroying the lives of children and adults. Even today, the Vatican refuses to hand over files essential to bring closure to survivors and which are integral to prosecuting offenders. It would make a travesty of the Pope’s visit to the World Meeting of Families were he not to also take the opportunity to meet families whose lives were ruined by the institution which he now heads.

However, Bishop Leahy was correct to also recall how much the Church contributed to Irish society. Too many forget, ignore or deliberately overlook this. Yet as Bishop Leahy reminds us, the good can never eclipse recognition of sin, criminality and evil. It was Pope Francis himself who said: “Situations can change; people can change. Be the first to seek to bring good. Do not grow accustomed to evil, but defeat it with good.”

The pontiff will surely not miss the opportunity to demonstrate his sincerity in changing the Vatican and showing humility by meeting survivors. Millions of people in this country still revere the Church but fear for it when they see flaws being ignored and wonder who will be there to preserve it if obvious weaknesses such as a zealous protection of its own reputation and blindness to its frailties are not addressed. Bishop Leahy urged: “We need to acknowledge the dark aspects of our Church’s history,” and decried “a clericalism that ended up confusing power and ministry”.

A churchman from another time, Jonathan Swift, wrote: “I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.” Suffice to say the Church has served us both well and poorly. Pope Francis, as its head, will get an Irish welcome. But if it is to do better in future, it must not run from its failings but confront them; not in secret conclave, but before the eyes of followers. That would be a genuine act of faith and a true show of Christianity.