Martin calls on Brady to consider his position
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said today that Cardinal Seán Brady should consider his position as head of the Catholic church in Ireland.
A BBC TV documentary recently revealed that information on victims of paedophile Fr Brendan Smyth was given to a Church investigation, but then-priest Brady did not pass the information on to parents or civil authorities.
Cardinal Brady claims that he was just a notetaker in that inquiry.
“I think Cardinal Brady should reflect on his position and consider his position, but that’s a matter obviously for the church,” said Mr Martin.
“From my own perspective I think his authority has been very seriously undermined with what has happened.”
Mr Martin said it is always easier for people of his and today’s generations to revisit the 1970s through the prism of the criteria and standards held today.
“But on the balance, given the enormity and the scale of the abuse that was perpetrated and visited upon young children in very vulnerable circumstances by Fr Brendan Smyth, that’s the context to which I think I would determine the view that Cardinal Brady should consider his position,” he added.
