Sir, - The sight of an elderly man such as the former Brother of Charity, James Kelly, being given a lengthy prison sentence for abuse (The Irish Times, November 24th) is a pathetic one. We must leave the ultimate judgement, of course, with God alone, Who is merciful as well as just and Who takes account of all circumstances.
People like Mr Kelly are akin, in many ways, to war criminals. When they were at the height of their powers they carried out unspeakable acts of depravity and violence on utterly vulnerable and defenceless children. They were accountable to no one and must never have envisaged a day when they would have been arraigned before the courts to pay for their crimes.
The name of the demon of abuse that was at large in the Irish Catholic Church is legion, for it took many and various forms. Abuse was emotional, psychological and spiritual, as well as sexual and physical. It is a need crying out to heaven that these matters be energetically, sincerely and wholeheartedly confronted by the entire Church.
This is a matter for a pastoral letter from the Irish bishops addressing the deep hurt of so many and asking forgiveness from the victims on behalf of our brothers and sisters who have sinned against them. There is need for acts of collective reparation and penance to God who is so grievously offended by the scandalising of His little ones.
This matter is not going to go away. It will fester and continue to damage the Church until it is dealt with properly and adequately, with complete candour and openness. This issue must not be allowed to rest.
Those who were abused by Church personnel are prophets sent by God to the institutional Church. Christ totally identified Himself with them in their pain and sense of betrayal. When we are going to welcome and console the Lord who is hurt and wounded in so many of His people? - Yours, etc.,
Fr Patrick McCafferty, Sacred Heart Presbytery, Belfast.