Madam, – Referring to the scandal in the diocese of Cloyne, Prof Enda McDonagh says there is “a much deeper and more Christian reason for [Bishop John Magee] accepting resignation, the example of Jesus Christ himself. He freely accepted his death as a criminal, despite the protests of his friends and the baying of his enemies” (The Irish Times, February 4th.
There is a serious flaw in Dr McDonagh’s rationale. The essential reality is that John Magee, in this scandal, is not a Christ-like figure. Our Lord was totally innocent of any offence. John Magee is not innocent and his policy on clerical abuse endangered children.
The “example of Jesus Christ” is as far removed from Dr Magee and his ilk as darkness is from light. The only “example” that can be offered men like him is that of the sinner who sincerely repents and asks forgiveness from God and those they have hurt.
Bishop Magee and those of his mentality have done far more to sabotage and injure the mission of the Church in society than any amount of “hostile” media reporting.
Dr Magee has refused to resign. The question that must be posed to him now — if he is a Christian at all — is how busy has he been, since December, in reaching out to the victims of clerical abuse and their families in Cloyne? – Yours, etc,