Sir, - Disturbing and painful as are the allegations of the clerical abuse of nuns, in Ireland and in some 20 other countries Irish Times, March 21st), the handling by church leadership of such explosive charges shows a sea-change from that of a few years ago.
In 1985, for example, when charges of clerical paedophilia began to surface in the United States, the church authorities there and elsewhere moved with glacial speed to address, or even to admit, the problem.
One archbishop vehemently denied that it was, as some had claimed, the "greatest problem in centuries". Another, blaming the messenger, invoked "God's power on the media". A bishop reassuringly pronounced that the "paedophilia annoyance" would eventually "abate".
Now, by contrast, as your religious affairs correspondent reports Irish Times, March 23rd), the Irish Missionary Union has called on the abused to speak out. There is no fudging, no rush to deny.
Lest the Church's credibility further erode, authority needs to act forthrightly, resolutely, and responsibly to safeguard the reputations of the clergy and religious who are, and have been, faithful to their commitments. - Yours, etc.,
E. Leo McMannus, Venice, Florida, USA.