Someone Else's Responsibility

Is that the flame of indignation that burns so brightly, Bishop Brennan? Is it the fire that should burn in every Irish Catholic when they think of the child abuse scandal that has severely damaged the Church?

No, it might be the warm glow of a brass neck.

Having railed against the guilty clerics in his own fold, the Bishop of Ferns has now asked his faithful to dig deeper into their pockets and come up with the money needed to pay the victims of clerical abuse.

It's their responsiblity, you see. Given by God Himself.

The insurance company finds that their God-given responsibility reached its conclusion after they'd paid out about one-seventh of the costs incurred thus far. So, parishioners of the Ferns Diocese, it's up to you to pay the remainder. God said so.

Not asking much, this bishop. It breaks down to E60,000 per year for twenty years from the 100,000 members of the diocese. Just drop a few extra euros in the collection basket and we're good to go.

Considering the current state of Ireland's economy, it isn't likely that many have extra cash lying about, let alone enough cash to meet the mortgage payment and buy food for the week.

Then there's the change in attitude that faces the Catholic Church. The days of "pray, pay and obey" are long gone, and the congregations are asking questions of the religious board of directors. The shareholders were never allowed to look at the books before, and they're less likely to throw good money after bad now that they've had a glimpse into the inner workings that saw pedophiles shunted from parish to parish in a shell game.

So, no, Bishop Brennan. The diocese can go into receivership, as happens to all other mismanaged companies. Sell property at a loss, lay off employees, and act under the direction of the likes of Deloitte and Touche until the bill can be paid. The parishioners didn't incur one penny of that debt, the Church leaders did, and it's their responsibility entirely.