It would be a step in the right direction if this could be done but do the laws on the books in Ireland even allow for it? 

In the United States we have all seen the difficulties posed when the criminal and civil statutes covering the sexual abuse of children differ from state to state to state.  In the few cases where federal statutes were invoked, either the newer federal statutes on trafficking or the older Mann Act, my understanding is that there were no statutes of limitation to invoke which allowed for the criminal prosecution of those who took children across state on national boundaries for purposes of sexual exploitation.

It is interesting to note the very obvious change in the public comments coming from the head of the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes.  He has done an about face from his earlier pronouncements but still makes no reference to the conspiracy, collusion and cover-up that has to be acknowledged and accepted by the Irish bishops. 

Of course, the bishops in the United States have never accepted that kind of responsibility so it has to be considered an accomplishment that some bishops there have been forced to submit their resignations to the Holy See.  It remains to be seen if any of those Irish bishops who resigned will receive the kind of plum position bestowed on Boston's Bernard Cardinal Law after his resignation was tendered.  If they do it will be proof positive that little has been learned by the hierarchy. 

But hopes reigns eternal. 

When the pope visited the United States, his words were touching and surely came from the heart but there were no concrete actions taken by the Holy See as a result.  There was no follow up.

If the expected Lenten pastoral letter to the Irish people is limited to words, a re-configuration of the layout of dioceses or the number of bishops or the like, without addressing the underlying systemic and endemic problems that allowed such a conspiracy to go on for so long at so great a cost to the holy innocents, the body of Christ, the people of God then it will have all been in vain and nothing will change.

How long, O Lord, how long must your people suffer so?

Sister Maureen Paul Turlish, Victims' Advocate, New Castle, Delaware.  www.maureenpaulturlish@yahoo.com

Thanks for this reporting

Can the editors provide a source for Cardinal Claudio Hummes' statement? I'm interested in a fuller reading of what he had to say

My first reaction is that this is the right policy. If there is to be an investigation, then let professional police detectives do their work. However, I have one reservation about this position. Let me give an example from the corporate world in the U.S. Some HR managers, when advised of certain kinds of sexual harassment in the work place, will give the complaining employee the phone number of the local police. The manager informs the employee that such conduct, if true, is a criminal offense and the appropriate action is for the employee to report the crime, not the personnel manager. HR will not pursue an investigation because that is the job of the police.

This appears, on its face, to be a reasonable policy. But guess what happens. The employee is not likely to notify the police, especially if the occasion does not present the opportunity for evidence suitable for criminal prosecution. The employee is left out on a limb, with the employer saying, "Not my job." My personal view is that this can be an excuse to do nothing.

I am wondering if this new church policy provides the opportunity for the church to sit back and put the entire burden on the victim. I don't know that this will happen, necessarily. Consider that a local parish, or bishop could take the position of not doing anything while an investigation is pending - if there is an investigation. It also provides an opportunity to turn away the victim with, "If the police couldn't find anything, then there is nothing more we could do."

Finally, is there anything is the statement, or policy, that provides for investigations within the church, if the victim does not take the case to the police, or if the police refuse to take the matter?