Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

The Leader has allocated time for a debate later this week on the Murphy report. It will give us an opportunity to deal with the matter in more detail. It is evident that there is a great deal of anger and confusion. As a Roman Catholic, I must state this is not the church I know. My experience has been that it is a compassionate institution. We must focus on the victims and survivors. We will not do them justice if we become distracted. It is horrifying to think little children were molested in the way in which they were and to realise that their lives were completely ruined.

Anybody who subscribes to the tenets of the Roman Catholic Church will be aware of what Christ said about the concept of scandalising children. I do not wish to sound sanctimonious but it is on this tenet that the church is based. The church must embark on a mission of renewal. This would provide everyone with an opportunity to witness the terrible damage done by certain individuals, particularly those who occupied positions of trust. It would also provide an opportunity to show that it is not acceptable for such persons to hold such positions, either now or in the future.

I agree with Senator O'Toole who made a good point on furthering the concept of fairness and balance. Calls for the resignation of an individual bishop do not in any way help the victims or survivors. In the long term such calls will only distract attention from other matters. Even though everyone feels hurt at present, it is important to remember the great work done by so many church people in the past, not only in Ireland but also throughout the world. When Pope John Paul ll died, there was an outpouring of admiration and when Fr. Michael Sinnott was held captive in the Philippines, it touched a nerve with everyone. It is important that a balance is struck. I do not accept that we, as public representatives, should call for the resignation of any bishop.