Letters, Texts & Emails Tuesday 1 December 2009

2 December 2009
Joseph Galvin

Topics: Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation Report, the upcoming budget, public sector union talks

Panellists: Colm O'Gorman (Amnesty International), Mary Raftery (author of Suffer the Little Children) and Father Peter McVerry

Below is a selection of texts and emails received by Vincent during the programme.

Full programme available here.

RE: Murphy Report

The Gardaí should now push the full rigour of the law on senior clergymen who not only obstructed but withheld evidence.

JJ, Cork

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Diarmuid Martin is unhappy. Unhappy. Was that the best he could come up with? Words and no actions.

Edel, Dublin

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These priests and bishops claim to change breand and wine into the body and blood of Jesus, clam to impart the Holy Spirit, claim to have the power to forgive sins on God's behalf...and it seems claim to have the right to abuse innocent children and rob them and others of the freedom of the Gospel of Jesus.

John, Dublin

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Isn't it time that the state took over control of all primary schools, colleges of education and hospitals? I would also like to see an investigation into the possible collaboration of primary teachers and principals many of who are members of the Church. I say this as a retired primary school principal.

Eileen, Limerick

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How on Earth can you compare Prince Charles and those so called men of God? Camilla was a willing partner; those children weren't.

Anon

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We need a completely secular state and education system. Children will never be safe while our schools are run by clergy who put canon law before criminal law.

Joe, Wexford

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Let's have the investigation widened as in Dublin to Kilkenny and every other town and village. Those clerical abusers are here too.

Anne, Kilkenny

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Bishop Murphy should resign; he covered up. He has no moral authority.

Mike, Limerick

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Please do not shoot Diarmuid Martin for having the courage to stand up publicly against one of the most powerful organisations in the world, the Catholic Church. Archbishop Martin has no power; he can only rely on us to do the work that Rome will not do.

Rhona Barnwall

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We must be careful that engaging in a witch hunt is not at the expense of us avoiding our own personal responsibility for systemic change in both the Church and society at large.

John Lupton

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The Vatican is a foreign power conspiring against a sovereign people. We should stop being lackeys and be proud citizens.

Ruairi, Tullamore

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Dr. Murray gave a full half hour interview on the Limerick Today programme on Limerick's Live 95FM on the morning after the publication of the report where he answered all the questions put to him.

James

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The Church should pay compensation to its victims if they want to atone for their crimes.

Kevin

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RE: Union talks

Can you tell me is there an organisation of unemployed because with all the cuts they should be protesting like the unions. Or do they give a damn?

Joe, Kildare

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It's quite simple. The unions have sold their members out.

Kenneth, Limerick

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