Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: (Vigil) Una Heenan, (Anniv).
11.00 Nora Duggan & Esther Tierney, (Anniv).
6.30: Agnes Kilkelly and family members, (Anniv).

As I Was Saying...

Fourteen years ago, the Irish government was brought down by 'the Brendan Smith Affair'. Consequently, a strong searchlight was trained on the Catholic Church in Ireland and on its despicable failure to address the scandal of child sexual abuse among its clergy.

The first reaction of the Church to this 'outing' was paralysis. Many of its leaders were simply unable to speak when confronted with this horrifying scenario. And the few who did speak tended to say the wrong things! Understandably, this issue has dominated the life of the Church (and, at times, public life). The Church has spent the last fourteen years off the field of play, in the 'sin bin'.

Obviously, enormous damage was done to the Church by the criminal behaviour of some of its clergy (and not by the media, as some would have us believe). But the damage to the Church amounts to a mere 'hill of beans' when compared to the damage done to the innocent children. Many of these people will live out their lives as psychologically damaged human beings as a result of the crimes committed against them.

When the can of worms was eventually opened, three steps were required: (1) to accept the truth voiced by the victims; (2) to help the victims on the road to healing through whatever means possible - through counselling, compensation, or whatever; (3) to make sure that abusers will never again find an opportunity within the church to perpetrate their crimes.

Can we guarantee absolutely that no paedophile will ever again insinuate himself into the clerical ranks, or masquerade as a church worker? Of course not! But what the Church can do is to put in place structures and practices that will deprive the abuser of the opportunity to ply his evil trade. And that is precisely what our 'Child Protection Policy' is attempting to achieve at parish level.

Exactly one year ago this weekend, Galway Diocese launched its 'Policy on Child Protection'. Over the past year, these principles have been translated into 'practical implications' for parochial life here in St. Augustine's. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Rosemarie Ryan, Donal O'Connell, Bridget Headon, Des Foley, and Niall Coghlan, who put this document together with the expert guidance of Tony Murphy.

We will gradually learn that this new policy is very much 'a work in progress'. Each parish will have to provide a yearly audit to the bishop on the progress made in implementing this policy. The bishop, for his part, is obliged to provide an audit to a committee of the Bishops' Conference. In time, child protection practices will be taken for granted in every parish.

As Bishop Drennan said at the launch of the diocesan policy document 12 months ago, "I look forward to the day when we won't need to talk about child protection, but will be able to focus on the positive, on what is best for children's welfare, for their growth, for their integrity." It will all have been worth it if it prevents even one child from being abused. Is it too much to hope that we have turned the corner? We are only beginning to rebuild. But let us strive to build well!

-Dick Lyng

Out of Africa!

Just writing to let you know how everything went in South Africa during the Summer. The trip was brilliant and the orphanage is nearly finished; it requires only a few more weeks work. The orphanage will have two sections to it, kind of like foster houses for the children. These will be headed up by two foster mothers each. Since a lot of children have lost their parents to AIDS and TB, this will be a great help to the community.

It was great to go back and see how things have developed since we were there last year and things seems to be a lot better for the people of Franklin. The people were so appreciative of what we were doing in the community and I would like to pass on that gratitude to the people of the Augustinian who supported me before I went. I'm so glad I got the chance to go back to Franklin and want to say a huge thank you to you all for helping me on my way there. I've attached some photos of the building and the people so you can see what we got up to over there! Thanks everyone.

-Máirín Whelan.

Obituary For Common Sense

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary.

OBITUARY

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't legally defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility, and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers: I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.

Choir CD

The Choir has been working on the preparation of a CD of their music for some time now. They are generally acknowledged as the best church choir around and it would be negligent of all concerned if their material was not committed to record. So the CD has been completed and it will be launched by none other than Rev. Patrick Towers in Kenny's Art Gallery on Thursday week, October 9th at 6.00pm.

Recession in Quotes...

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