Dear Sir,

Is there not a risk that the RC Church in Ireland is following in the same trail as Waterford Crystal, Fruit of the Loom, the sugar beet industry and Youghal Carpets etc? It seems that very soon one will have a better chance of meeting a Druid than a Catholic priest.

For years the church has been dragging its way along the road to oblivion even excommunicating those from amongst its ranks who questioned the direction it was taking. It preyed on the vulnerability of people, even ministers of Government, to give it the benefit of doubt and show it the respect that it thought it deserved.

In the mid first decade I was shocked when, with assistance from ex TD Mr Ned O’Keeffe, I received the information that there were 13,600 reported cases of clerical sexual child abuse. This information has apparently been digested by the powers that be because the fixers were taking over and rather than proceed through our justice system, it was decided to sweep it under the carpet and buy the silence of the victims. The cost of this purchase was estimated at 1.36 billion euros and the Church, with no reference to any punishment for the criminals, continued along their merry way.

It seems that the church may have neglected to take into consideration how its followers would react. Needless to tell you, the church has reneged on its commitment to pay its share, even though The Vatican is flying plane loads of cash in to its vaults.

Child abuse in Ireland was rampant during the 1980s and ’90s and both the Church’s and the Government’s indifference or ineptitude is taking its toll, but it is an ill wind that blows no one any good because someone will make a furtune selling videos of a priest saying Mass.

Thank you,

Richard Prendergast,

Mondaniel,

Rathcormac,

Co Cork.