Dublin's archbishop snubbed for Vatican abuse conference?

July 04, 2011

Garry O’Sullivan of the Irish Catholic finds it interesting that Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is not listed among the speakers scheduled to address a Vatican conference on sexual abuse next February. Archbishop Martin has been very vocal on the question, O’Sulivan notes, and indeed he is “one of the few bishops who stands out in the European continental experience of abuse.”

Why, then, would Archbishop Martin not be sought out as a speaker at this major international conference? O’Sullivan sees a few likely explanations:

• While Archbishop Martin has been outspoken, his comments have often riled both his Irish colleagues and Vatican officials; he is not regarded as a “team player.”
• While the Irish archbishop has gained notoriety by denouncing abuse, he has not advanced any noteworthy suggestions for fixing the problem. “The symposium is for the institutonal optimists and Archbishop Martin is not seen in this light.”
• The archbishop has been ready—perhaps too ready—to speak with the secular press, rather than addressing other bishops quietly. “He turned down an interview request with Vatican Radio recently while opting to give an interview to the New York Times

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Snubbed or not needed? (Irish Catholic)