Galway Advertiser 2009/GA_2009_05_28/GA_2805_E1_006.pdf 

Extracted text

4 NEWS

www.advertiser.ie

May 28 2009 EDITORIAL

Now what for the Church?
We've had a week now to come to terms with The Ryan Report. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin warned us to expect the worst, but even so, the scale of the cruelty, neglect, and abuse - physical, emotional, and sexual - documented in the pages of this report will change forever the way the Church is viewed in this country. That those in a position of care to the most vulnerable members of society - those whom the Irish Constitution singled out for particular concern - could have inflicted the immediate pain and suffering, not to mention the long-term emotional consequences that those abused have carried with them into maturity, is terrible enough. That they acted as they did in the name of the Christian faith, whose founder took the child's trust as a metaphor for humanity's trust in God, can only be described as blasphemy. The initial response of the Conference of Religious Orders in Ireland (CORI) has been worse than disappointing; considering the level of public disgust, it could, at best, be described as woefully inadequate, at its worst, it is simply insulting, to those who suffered the abuse, and to the public, most of whom, let us not forget, continue to call themselves Catholics. That there has not been a huge falling away from the profession and practice of the faith says much about the ability of the Irish people to distinguish between the essence of that faith and some of its unworthy representatives. And here the bishops, as contrasted with the religious orders, must be commended for their unqualified condemnation of the abuses, and their expression of collective shame and remorse, with a determination to redress the wrongs and ensure such things can never happen again. There are larger issues that will have to be dealt with. One of these is the identity of those who inflicted the abuse over the years. While no one wants a witch hunt - an ugly manifestation of manipulated public anger already evident in some quarters - there is a strong case for distingushing between the guilty and the innocent. Although the defence of `a few rotten apples' cannot be invoked on this occasion given the evidence we have, it is important that the innocent not be tarred with the same brush as the guilty, and that the many brothers, priests, and nuns faithful to their calling be recognised. There is one final matter that must be addressed, that of the wider church's responsibility. The Ryan Report has documented that the a large percentage of the money paid by the state to the religious orders did not, in fact, go to the care of the children for whom they were responsible, but to Rome. This is tainted money and should be recognised as such. While no amount of financial compensation could ever make up for the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse inflicted, it is wrong that the Church should be seen to benefit financially from what has happened. While it is hard to know how redress could be made, it is a matter of moral urgency that responsibility be assigned and recognised. This has been a hard week for the Church, but to acknowledge and accept guilt, as the bishops have done and as the religious orders are beginning to do, is a necessary first step in rebuilding the trust shattered by those who disgraced the faith they purported to represent.

Visitor numbers expected to swell for weekend of Volvo festivities
From front page. Backed by welcome bonfires that lined the coast from the Aran Islands, and some 500 support boats lining the route, Galway certainly delivered on its promise as the "party stopover". "The best reception ever for the end of a leg," said Neil Cox of second-placed Puma, while Torben Grael of leading boat and leg winner, said: "Galway is fantastic. There were so many people on the sea, and all the people in the harbor cheering. For us it is fantastic." There were of course special celebrations for Ireland's Green Dragon, arriving home for the first time in nine months with a richly deserved podium finish in third. "One of the biggest receptions we've seen in any port so far," said Dragon's Irish navigator Ian Moore. "It is just huge, phenomenal, really really cool." Within hours of their arrival, the cranes were already in place lifting the boats from the water for essential maintenance, and yesterday the Dragon was the first back in position to prepare for the in-port racing spectacle. Despite the damp weather during the week, people have continued to stream through the village, and with the sun expected to shine again tomorrow and Saturday, organisers are already preparing for a massive crowd with the focus on free children and family events.

Witness appeal following burglaries
BY MARTINA NEE Galway gardai are seeking the public's help following a number of burglaries throughout the city and surrounding areas. The Athenry Shopping Centre was targeted in the early hours of Thursday May 21. The business premises was broken into and access was gained via a smashed front window. A quantity of cosmetics were stolen. On the same date a private residence in the Lios An Uisce area was broken into in the early hours. Entry was gained through a smashed window and the culprits made off with a laptop, Xbox, and a quantity of jewellery. Between May 23 and 25 Galway Community School at Moneenageisha was broken into. Again entry was gained through a smashed window and a keyboard was taken. Anyone with information regarding the burglary at Athenry Shopping Centre is asked to contact Garda Alan Maher at Athenry Garda Station on 091 844016. Those with information regarding the remaining burglaries or who have been offered any of these items for sale are asked to contact Galway Garda Station on 091 538000. Gardai are also advising home and business owners to keep their premises secure at all times and to keep cash levels to a minimum. Further information is available from the crime prevention officer on 091 768005.

INDEX
SAILING FEVER

INSIDE

128
PROPERTY

Lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 The Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 Motoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .109 Old Galway . . . . . . . . . . .128 Sport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Salthill Home
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73
WEDDING STATIONERY | CANDLES | MASS BOOKS

MOTORING

New E Class
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HYPNOSIS EXPLAINED

Gene and Anita Browne of Oranmore were just two of the 70,000 visitors to enjoy the entertainment at the Galway Volvo Ocean Race Village this week. The two-week Galway stopover continues this Bank Holiday weekend with the Volvo 70s returning to the water for the in-port racing in Galway Bay where spectators can take in the action along Saltill Promenade. The racing which starts at 1pm will be preceded by the visit of the Red Arrows acrobatic team at 12 noon. The day's entertainment concludes at the Race Village with Sharon Shannon headlining the acts on the Topaz Main Stage.