For Immediate Release
December 17, 2009
The National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) sees in the resignation of Bishop Donal Murray, Bishop of Limerick, Ireland the failure of a Church unwilling to hear the cries of the innocent until forced into a corner by a civil government.
For 15 years, survivors in Ireland pursued the government’s investigation after they got no serious response let alone compassion or understanding or action to protect other children from the hierarchy that claimed to be part of a moral voice on the planet.
What is admirable today is not the passing of a bishop from his realm but the courage of those whose childhoods were taken from them, whose souls and spirits were deeply scarred yet who nobly rose to advance the cause of truth.
The resignation of one bishop does not end this scandal or even begin to heal its wounds.
Wholesale change, deep and meaningful must come to a hierarchy and a Church that allowed children to be abused and unflinchingly covered up crimes.
If the acceptance of this resignation is Pope Benedict’s “outrage” and “deep distress” for the Church in Ireland, it is an oxymoron.
Contact: National Survivor Advocates Coalition 937-272-0308
As a survivor of sexual abuse by a religious sister, I know what it took for those people to come forward. Not only should all the bishops resign, but the pope should follow suit. All reports of sexual abuse by priests went to him when he was Cardinal Ratzinger, and he did NOTHING!! He will still do nothing – at least nothing that will bring about real change. What will be interesting is what will happen to this bishop. Maybe he’ll share the basilica that Cardinal Law is in charge of, or get his own.
Crimes without punishment. Will bishop Murray be moved to Rome? Will bishop Murray still retain his title? will bishop Murray still receive monthly compensation from the church? Health insurance, living expenses etc. There are so many questions yet to be answered, but the most important question is, will there be more resignations?