A QUESTION OF FAITH

With Father Frank Daly of St Peter’s in Hinckley

We are all aware of the scandal of child abuse within the Catholic Church and its ramifications. What we may not be aware of is how all this makes innocent Catholic priests feel. The following song was written in 2007:

The sins of our brothers, make us think that others believe that we’re all just the same. The crimes of a few, what they cruelly do mean the rest of us carry the shame.

Chorus: And how we’d have loved little ones of our own to cherish, to comfort, to cheer; taken up in our arms, they’d be safe from all harm ‘cos this father’s love’s true and sincere.

In the first place ‘twas love, as a gift from above that made us give up all our lives. As the years have gone by though, we realise with a sigh now precisely of what we’re deprived.

Our emotions lie hidden, as if we’re forbidden to show what we really feel. Though they all call us ‘father’, there’s times we’d much rather have children ourselves for real. (Chorus)

In suspicion a finger, can point if they linger a second too long in our arms. As they run to embrace us, you can see in their faces a picture of innocent charm.

They jump up on your knee, pull your hair, squeal with glee and sometimes it’s a bit of a bind. But to hurt or abuse them, for our pleasure to use them such a thought’s never entered our minds. (Chorus)

For God’s sake we’re priests, though some act like beasts in taking their childhood away. Can it be detrimental, in being parental to love in a different way?

Little friends we’re your ministers, there’s nothing sinister in our care and affection for you. When e’er you draw near, you have nothing to fear for our love is sincere as it’s true. (Chorus)