Leading Irish politicians call for Cardinal Brady's resignation

May 03, 2012

Several leading Irish politicians have called for the resignation of Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, after a BBC broadcast exposed new details about the future cardinal’s involvement in the investigation of a pedophile priest in 1975.

Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore said that the cardinal should step down. “It is my own personal view that anybody who did not deal with the scale of the abuse that we have seen in this case should not hold a position of authority,” he said. Education minister Ruairi Quinn also called for the prelate’s resignation, as did Martin McGuinness, the deputy first minister of Northern Ireland. Ireland’s prime minister, Enda Kenny, has suggested that Cardinal Brady should “reflect” on his position.

Garry O’Sullivan, the editor of the Irish Catholic, also called for the cardinal’s resignation. He argued that although Cardinal Brady may not be culpable for the failure to curb the pedophile priest, Brendan Smyth, the cardinal is a product of the culture of secrecy that spawned the cover-up, and his credibility is now fatally wounded.

 

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Further information:

• Cardinal Seán Brady faces resignation demand from Eamon Gilmore (Guardian)
• Irish deputy PM says Cardinal should resign (Ireland Online)
• Ruairi Quinn joins line of politicians calling for Cardinal Sean Brady to consider position (Independent)
• Brady was rewarded for his obedience to Church rules. Now he should go (Herald)