Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent)

When he was Cardinal Ratzinger, the Pope stated: "Standards of conduct appropriate to civil society or the workings of a democracy cannot be purely and simply applied to the Church". Fantastic. The word "deplores" as positioned in the motion can be applied. There is no language to outline what occurs when people abuse children. God is taken from them and they are condemned to a world where a child is without the idea of God and God without the idea of child. They are synonymous. I agree with the Leader that there is no word strong enough in this regard.

In his amendment Senator Mullen wishes to change the word "deplores" to "profoundly regrets". The implication with the idea of "profoundly regrets" is the same as regrets in any way of life, which is that it is sad, we must move on and that in some way, what is regretted is forgivable. The events in Cloyne are beyond sadness, were unacceptable and can never be forgiven. The word "deplores" should stand.