Finally

[Jacko_G]

The Catholic Church in Scotland issues an apology and admits to child abuse. Hopefully prosecution will follow in due course.

I respect the work done by Dr Andrew McLellan and the public apology by Archbishop Tartagila. For too long they have denied the allegations and even branded victims gold diggers. Archbishop Tartagila has gone a long way in restoring public faith in the Catholic Church. Admire his honesty in addressing this whole sordid affair and cover up.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-33959446

 

[Foxholer]

Indeed very good to see!

But it's only the first step imo. And the recommendations must be implemented (the apology being one of them, so that's a good start).

Of course - and unfortunately - this isn't he only place where such abuse was perpetrated. All such offences need to be brought into the open and properly dealt with!

 

[c1973]

It's taken them long enough, and not sure if the victims will be pleased or perhaps just feel vindicated, but its good to see nonetheless (however late the acknowledgement). Hopefully 'names' will be passed onto the police for proper and full investigations now.

Not the only institute where abuse has taken place and been swept under the carpet unfortunately, hopefully more will follow suit, publicly acknowledge what has happened and begin the process of reparation.

 

[Jacko_G]

Hopefully in time the whole cover up will unravel and prosecutions will follow.

The victims in this have suffered for long enough. The Catholic Church has been more concerned about its reputation throughout instead of dealing with this. I believe the victims will start to feel that they are being listened too and taken seriously now. The growing support from the public and media has been instrumental in the admissions and subsequent apology.

First step has been taken. Let's see what follows.

 

[c1973]

Hopefully in time the whole cover up will unravel and prosecutions will follow.

The victims in this have suffered for long enough. The Catholic Church has been more concerned about its reputation throughout instead of dealing with this. I believe the victims will start to feel that they are being listened too and taken seriously now. The growing support from the public and media has been instrumental in the admissions and subsequent apology.

First step has been taken. Let's see what follows.

A lot of truth in that unfortunately, imo.

It should have been dealt with years ago, let's hope it is dealt with properly at long last.

I browsed over a piece today that intimated the main problem was Priests not being allowed to marry, have sexual relations etc. I'm not sure if that is/was the major issue as the 'attraction' seems to be (going by media reports over the years) toward children. How would marriage resolve this?

 

[Farneyman]

Thankfully the power that the catholic church had in the past is no longer there. Certainly in Ireland and I would imagine in most western countries.

All involved in these horrible crimes deserve all they get. However due to many of the cover ups/disbelief over the years many of the offending priests/bishops have manged to get away with their crimes or have died . :angry:

It must also be noted that due to the influence of the church in rural Ireland, and probably Scotland, in the past that many children were simply not believed when they told their parents/teachers or other adults about what was going on. The parish priest was simply the pillar of the community who could do no wrong and people lived in fear of offending/upsetting him but who behind closed doors was ruining young lives left right and center.

I know of a guy who when he told his, deeply religious mother, about an "incident" when he was an alter boy she ended up clipping him around the lugs. He was told never to mention such nonsense in his house again. A sad but very true story and one that would have been repeated countless times.

Unfortunately the catholic church is not the only organisation who have covered up these heinous crimes. All you have to do is look no further than the bbc and if the stories are to be believed there are no less than 5 police forces investigating an ex prime minister.

I also think that these types of stories would still be getting covered up if it wasn't for the advent of social media.

Hopefully in time all the victims in all the cases will get justice...unfortunately realistically this will never happen.