Comments on: A moderate response to the Ryan Report http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/ CatholicIreland.net Blog Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:26:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Eric Conway http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/comment-page-1/#comment-19335 Eric Conway Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:43:11 +0000 http://blog.catholicireland.net/?p=1274#comment-19335 Self-pitying, self-indulgent drivel. As a member of " Proud to Be Catholic ", each day as I discover the wonderful work of countless Catholic religious involved in helping humanity of all religions & none, my respect for the Church increases. When the Church's hypocritical enemies start doing 1% of the charitable/caring work carried out by members of the Catholic Church, I might consider listening to their criticism. There's no chance of that happening ; these ignorant bigots are purely interested in using the Ryan Report to bash the Church. As for the historically ignorant comments of previous contributors, the work's of Prof. Rodney Stark ( an agnostic ) bare ample testimony to the enduring/civilising contribution of the One, True, Church. Self-pitying, self-indulgent drivel. As a member of ” Proud to Be Catholic “, each day as I discover the wonderful work of countless Catholic religious involved in helping humanity of all religions & none, my respect for the Church increases. When the Church’s hypocritical enemies start doing 1% of the charitable/caring work carried out by members of the Catholic Church, I might consider listening to their criticism. There’s no chance of that happening ; these ignorant bigots are purely interested in using the Ryan Report to bash the Church. As for the historically ignorant comments of previous contributors, the work’s of Prof. Rodney Stark ( an agnostic ) bare ample testimony to the enduring/civilising contribution of the One, True, Church.

]]> By: Robert Castiglione http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/comment-page-1/#comment-18993 Robert Castiglione Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:44:18 +0000 http://blog.catholicireland.net/?p=1274#comment-18993 Hi, I am a former Catholic who for various theological and other reasons decided that I could no longer call it home. Interestingly, it was my brush with the Christian Brothers which was one of the reasons I left the Church behind. When I first read the title to your blog I was concerned. A "moderate" response to the Ryan Report? Moderation is not what is actually required to such a report. However, having read your response i would actually describe it as quite radical! My god, you are saying actually accept some real responsibility for you have done with all the implications that that has. Now that is radical. I really wish you good luck because I think that only this kind of honesty is going to lead to the revolution that the Catholic Church really needs if it is to live again. Rob Hi,

I am a former Catholic who for various theological and other reasons decided that I could no longer call it home. Interestingly, it was my brush with the Christian Brothers which was one of the reasons I left the Church behind.

When I first read the title to your blog I was concerned. A “moderate” response to the Ryan Report? Moderation is not what is actually required to such a report. However, having read your response i would actually describe it as quite radical! My god, you are saying actually accept some real responsibility for you have done with all the implications that that has. Now that is radical. I really wish you good luck because I think that only this kind of honesty is going to lead to the revolution that the Catholic Church really needs if it is to live again.

Rob

]]> By: Sister http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/comment-page-1/#comment-17936 Sister Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:54:37 +0000 http://blog.catholicireland.net/?p=1274#comment-17936 No; abusers are in no way Christian. Period. The Vatican should excommunicate all abusers without delay and without hesitation. Any priest or religious especially so. Orders which have fostered abusers should be disbanded; Rome has the power in Canon Law to do this. The fact that the Church in Ireland is putting on a "business as usual " display is the worst abuse of all. We have stopped attending mass; rather than take communion from someone who has abused children - or who has known what was going on and said nothing. There has been no penitence shown. One Bishop ( Leo O'Reilly) issued a statement recently that the abuse was "an exception and an aberration." And that is common thinking. God has spoken, as neither religious orders nor the priesthood is renewing. NB look at the nationalities of the few entering Orders; mostly non-Irish. No; abusers are in no way Christian. Period. The Vatican should excommunicate all abusers without delay and without hesitation. Any priest or religious especially so. Orders which have fostered abusers should be disbanded; Rome has the power in Canon Law to do this. The fact that the Church in Ireland is putting on a “business as usual ” display is the worst abuse of all. We have stopped attending mass; rather than take communion from someone who has abused children – or who has known what was going on and said nothing. There has been no penitence shown. One Bishop ( Leo O’Reilly) issued a statement recently that the abuse was “an exception and an aberration.” And that is common thinking. God has spoken, as neither religious orders nor the priesthood is renewing. NB look at the nationalities of the few entering Orders; mostly non-Irish.

]]> By: Kevin http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/comment-page-1/#comment-15446 Kevin Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:32:07 +0000 http://blog.catholicireland.net/?p=1274#comment-15446 I grew up in Connecticut, USA, and attended nine years of Catholic school, kindergarten through eighth grade. I was "educated" by the Sisters of Mercy and, though my experiences were nowhere near as horrific as those described in the Ryan Report, I can relate to those who allege a terroristic atmosphere in Catholic institutions. Though I graduated after completing the eighth grade, my parents opted to send my younger brothers to public school instead because of what I went through. I am now director of music at a Catholic church here in the states. Perhaps the next revelation will be the extent to which priests are abusive to their musicians. Church music and playing the organ are what I was born to do, and, sadly, all I'm equipped to do. I've been mistreated myself and hear horror stories from colleagues on a regular basis. It all happens under the radar, with no recourse, no justice. What is it about the church that makes it attractive to abusive personalities? Is "sadism" too strong a word to use in connection with all of this? I grew up in Connecticut, USA, and attended nine years of Catholic school, kindergarten through eighth grade. I was “educated” by the Sisters of Mercy and, though my experiences were nowhere near as horrific as those described in the Ryan Report, I can relate to those who allege a terroristic atmosphere in Catholic institutions. Though I graduated after completing the eighth grade, my parents opted to send my younger brothers to public school instead because of what I went through.
I am now director of music at a Catholic church here in the states. Perhaps the next revelation will be the extent to which priests are abusive to their musicians. Church music and playing the organ are what I was born to do, and, sadly, all I’m equipped to do. I’ve been mistreated myself and hear horror stories from colleagues on a regular basis. It all happens under the radar, with no recourse, no justice.
What is it about the church that makes it attractive to abusive personalities? Is “sadism” too strong a word to use in connection with all of this?

]]> By: Thelma http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/comment-page-1/#comment-15219 Thelma Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:02:07 +0000 http://blog.catholicireland.net/?p=1274#comment-15219 Dear Miriam, I just read your comment and my heart goes out to you and your family. I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. It is heartbreaking that you are left to pick up the pieces and you and your children will grow up without a loving father and husband. It is so frustrating, the evil still lives on. I have been finding the horrors of it all so hard to imagine. I cried coming out of mass the other day, feeling so frustrated at how inadequate I felt the churches response is. How far from Jesus did these institutions go? And how much further we have to go to get rid of this abuse... It seems this is just the beginning of the journey of eradication. We need to act now to protect our youth, elderly from abuse and to support these victims and their families... Dear Miriam, there is not much I can say, I will keep you, your family and your husband in my prayers. May God surround you with his Infinite Love and give us all hope. Once again, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Dear Miriam,
I just read your comment and my heart goes out to you and your family. I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. It is heartbreaking that you are left to pick up the pieces and you and your children will grow up without a loving father and husband.

It is so frustrating, the evil still lives on.

I have been finding the horrors of it all so hard to imagine. I cried coming out of mass the other day, feeling so frustrated at how inadequate I felt the churches response is. How far from Jesus did these institutions go? And how much further we have to go to get rid of this abuse… It seems this is just the beginning of the journey of eradication. We need to act now to protect our youth, elderly from abuse and to support these victims and their families…

Dear Miriam, there is not much I can say, I will keep you, your family and your husband in my prayers. May God surround you with his Infinite Love and give us all hope. Once again, I am deeply sorry for your loss.

]]> By: Miriam http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/comment-page-1/#comment-14946 Miriam Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:20:51 +0000 http://blog.catholicireland.net/?p=1274#comment-14946 The Ryan report not only exposed all the horror of the Church's past and horror it was but the media coverage of it has led to further horror. My children lost their father and I my husband the week of its publication to suicide. A victim of abuse and surrounded by abuse he just couldn't handle the reporting of it. Prior to that week things were functioning as normal and suicide was never ever imagined in our household. Honestly I didn't listen to the reports myself but my husband told me of it. Unfortunately alarm bells did not ring for me. What about all the turning of blind eyes in households because there was plenty of that too and again religion played a big part in wives protecting husbands etc. There has been a spate of suicides in our country in the past month and I wonder how many more are connected.It's a constant cycle really. I dread the day I have to explain to my children who are almost too young to remember their father, why he did it. In the meantime we are all just heartbroken and missing a wonderful loving person who unfortunately was preyed on by evil as a child.This country has an awful lot to answer for and broken hearts are everywhere because of its darkened past.The media coverage was just awful and I think without the publication of this we'd still be a happy young family. A heartbroken wife and mother. The Ryan report not only exposed all the horror of the Church’s past and horror it was but the media coverage of it has led to further horror. My children lost their father and I my husband the week of its publication to suicide. A victim of abuse and surrounded by abuse he just couldn’t handle the reporting of it. Prior to that week things were functioning as normal and suicide was never ever imagined in our household. Honestly I didn’t listen to the reports myself but my husband told me of it. Unfortunately alarm bells did not ring for me. What about all the turning of blind eyes in households because there was plenty of that too and again religion played a big part in wives protecting husbands etc. There has been a spate of suicides in our country in the past month and I wonder how many more are connected.It’s a constant cycle really. I dread the day I have to explain to my children who are almost too young to remember their father, why he did it. In the meantime we are all just heartbroken and missing a wonderful loving person who unfortunately was preyed on by evil as a child.This country has an awful lot to answer for and broken hearts are everywhere because of its darkened past.The media coverage was just awful and I think without the publication of this we’d still be a happy young family.
A heartbroken wife and mother.

]]> By: Dave http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/comment-page-1/#comment-14731 Dave Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:27:40 +0000 http://blog.catholicireland.net/?p=1274#comment-14731 G.P. Fitzpatrick, It is saddening that all you can seem to offer someone who has suffered abuse is an oversimplified history lesson, some defensive statistics, and a rather baffling clap on the back that they have not, in turn, become an abuser. G.P. Fitzpatrick,

It is saddening that all you can seem to offer someone who has suffered abuse is an oversimplified history lesson, some defensive statistics, and a rather baffling clap on the back that they have not, in turn, become an abuser.

]]> By: Gráinne http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/comment-page-1/#comment-14635 Gráinne Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:19:00 +0000 http://blog.catholicireland.net/?p=1274#comment-14635 It is comforting to read the views of other young irish catholics. I must say that since its publication and the ensuing media coverage the Ryan report has been laying heavy on my mind. As a proud irishwoman and catholic, it makes me deeply ashamed and upsets me every time I think about it. To think that my ancestors could have been involved in such abuse, either as perpatrators or victims, fills me with horror. We should all hand our heads in shame for the actions of the irish church and state. It is comforting to read the views of other young irish catholics. I must say that since its publication and the ensuing media coverage the Ryan report has been laying heavy on my mind. As a proud irishwoman and catholic, it makes me deeply ashamed and upsets me every time I think about it. To think that my ancestors could have been involved in such abuse, either as perpatrators or victims, fills me with horror. We should all hand our heads in shame for the actions of the irish church and state.

]]> By: G.P. Fitzpatrick http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/comment-page-1/#comment-14525 G.P. Fitzpatrick Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:08:42 +0000 http://blog.catholicireland.net/?p=1274#comment-14525 Shay, my friend, there was a common religion in Constantine's time. Emporer Worship. Christianity predates Emporer Constantine. The fact is child abuse is alive and well when it is hidden. Worldwide, that includes the USA, where I live, Priests only account for less than 1% of abusers. Most abusers are males, they (more than likely) have been abused also, regardless of what they believe. Regardless of your beliefs, know that there are standards to follow, enlightened or ignorant. The very fact of your writing the way you have shows me that you have high enough standards to not be abusive. Keep it up!! Shay, my friend, there was a common religion in Constantine’s time. Emporer Worship. Christianity predates Emporer Constantine. The fact is child abuse is alive and well when it is hidden. Worldwide, that includes the USA, where I live, Priests only account for less than 1% of abusers. Most abusers are males, they (more than likely) have been abused also, regardless of what they believe. Regardless of your beliefs, know that there are standards to follow, enlightened or ignorant. The very fact of your writing the way you have shows me that you have high enough standards to not be abusive. Keep it up!!

]]> By: Dave Donnellan http://blog.catholicireland.net/2009/06/03/a-moderate-response-to-the-ryan-report/comment-page-1/#comment-14235 Dave Donnellan Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:01:51 +0000 http://blog.catholicireland.net/?p=1274#comment-14235 I recently produced a short video on the demonstration to remember the victims of clerical abuse (available at http://www.vimeo.com/5158744). What struck me while I was editing it was that there is no way around the darkness that was created by the abuse that happened and continues to happen in our midst. I believe we need to enter into that darkness and share the suffering of the abused if there is to be any hope of coming out the other side as a community of faithful. I recently produced a short video on the demonstration to remember the victims of clerical abuse (available at http://www.vimeo.com/5158744). What struck me while I was editing it was that there is no way around the darkness that was created by the abuse that happened and continues to happen in our midst. I believe we need to enter into that darkness and share the suffering of the abused if there is to be any hope of coming out the other side as a community of faithful.

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