Never mind Brady, Martin's resignation is the one that really matters.

[Andrew49]

Whether Brady stays or goes - who gives a ****? As the ever brilliant Patsy McGarry argued today, "it doesn’t matter anymore. It is too late."

If Diarmuid Martin was to resign, though, I think that would be momentous - we'd finally have a senior member of the Catholic church in Ireland saying 'enough is enough'.

Listening to him on the news tonight I suspect he's close to resigning, but who knows?

He strikes me as an inherently good man who is sincerely shocked by what is going on around him and, despite his denials, it seems that he is being ostracised by the rest of the Irish hierarchy - and Vatican? That, needless to say, reinforces his standing: any enemy of the Irish hierarchy and the Vatican is probably a good friend to us plain old sinners.

So, whether Brady stays or goes - who cares? He'll only be replaced by a creature from the same school. How about Christopher 'it's a witch hunt!!' Jones?

I took my elderly mother to a church today because she wanted to buy a couple of mass cards and say a few prayers. For the first time I waited for her outside, I couldn't bear to go in to the place. The sight of any Catholic church these days makes me feel sick.

If Diarmuid Martin had the courage to resign it would restore my faith a little. True, it would mean there would literally be no one left in the Irish hierarchy with even a smidgeon of integrity - but that's the point. They would well and truly be marooned on their island of shame.

So, yeah, resign Diarmuid Martin - even if you're the only one who should actually retain your 'post'.

What do you think?

Great piece of writing.

A war has broken out in the Catholic Church in Ireland I think, between those who want the whole truth out in the open no matter what and those whose mindset is similar to Martin Drennan's in Galway - Diarmuid looks and appears increasingly isolated.

[droghedasouth]

Great piece of writing.

A war has broken out in the Catholic Church in Ireland I think, between those who want the whole truth out in the open no matter what and those whose mindset is similar to Martin Drennan's in Galway - Diarmuid looks and appears increasingly isolated.

At least Diarmuid Martin has re-found his voice after being isolated/slapped down by the Pope.

I dare say he has 2 or 3 public engagements every week.

It is interesting that he chose last night to speak to the press.

Even Miriam O'Callaghan dragged herself out of the Montrose bubble and got out there to ask the questions.

[owedtojoy]

If a patently decent man like Diarmuid Martin resigned, it might, just might, have ripples all the way to the Vatican. If he had the courage to expose what happened at the much-touted Rome meeting, there might be an unprecedented crisis of credibility in the Church all the way to the top.

But the church is just not accountable to anyone - it is an all-male mafia that will always organise to protect itself. And there are enough of the "faithful" to toady along. Expecting it to react like an open organisation and purge itself, is a fruitless hope. I gave up on it a long time ago.

[Kev408]

Whether Brady stays or goes - who gives a ****? As the ever brilliant Patsy McGarry argued today, "it doesn’t matter anymore. It is too late."

If Diarmuid Martin was to resign, though, I think that would be momentous - we'd finally have a senior member of the Catholic church in Ireland saying 'enough is enough'.

Listening to him on the news tonight I suspect he's close to resigning, but who knows?

He strikes me as an inherently good man who is sincerely shocked by what is going on around him and, despite his denials, it seems that he is being ostracised by the rest of the Irish hierarchy - and Vatican? That, needless to say, reinforces his standing: any enemy of the Irish hierarchy and the Vatican is probably a good friend to us plain old sinners.

So, whether Brady stays or goes - who cares? He'll only be replaced by a creature from the same school. How about Christopher 'it's a witch hunt!!' Jones?

I took my elderly mother to a church today because she wanted to buy a couple of mass cards and say a few prayers. For the first time I waited for her outside, I couldn't bear to go in to the place. The sight of any Catholic church these days makes me feel sick.

If Diarmuid Martin had the courage to resign it would restore my faith a little. True, it would mean there would literally be no one left in the Irish hierarchy with even a smidgeon of integrity - but that's the point. They would well and truly be marooned on their island of shame.

So, yeah, resign Diarmuid Martin - even if you're the only one who should actually retain your 'post'.

What do you think?

I thought by the thread title you might be trolling. However, your post is insightful* and approaches the issue from 'outside the box'. Like you, I couldn't gives a ratz(inger's) ass whether paedophilia-enabler Brady resigns - he should be jailed - but Diarmuid Martin's resignation would probably be the final nail in the coffin of Ireland's hitherto subservience to the RCC (plc).

Speaking generally about the whole clerical abuse phenomena, the last time the RCC displayed such mind-numbing arrogance on so grand a scale to its followers was back in the 16th century when it ignored Luther's protestations for nearly 30 years. When they finally got up off their over-fed arses and met for an orgiastic week during the Council of Trent, they still managed to not do enough. This led to the creation of Protestantism. As Dr. Phil would say: 'How's that workin' out for ya?'

*Edit: Changed the word 'inciteful' to what I actually meant - 'insightful'. (Thanks Anarene).

[TradCat]

I gave up on it a long time ago.

I finally gave up on it this week. I can't take any more.

[disgruntledcitizen]

I began to consider actually formally resigning once and for all from it, and joining the Church of Ireland. That had been unthinkable before now. Now it is.

quiet a few people have done that and it seems to be accelerating also, certainly where we are. the CoI whilst it does have its own faults and failings does seem in the whole a more rounded organisation, with the majority of its clergy (of both genders) married with families they are more able to relate to the membership far better than a lot of RCC priests can.

its certainly a good idea to head along to your local church for service / morning prayer some sunday and see what you make of it.....

[Anarene]

I thought by the thread title you might be trolling. However, your post is inciteful and approaches the issue from 'outside the box'.

Could you clarify if you meant inciteful or insightful.

incite as in incite hatred

insight as in clear or deep penetration of an issue.

The rest of the post suggests you meant the latter.

[kerrynorth]

They played part of Brady's homily from Armagh on Pat Kenny and the way I heard it suggests that Brady is hinting that he will resign around Easter.

[Kev408]

Could you clarify if you meant inciteful or insightful.

incite as in incite hatred

insight as in clear or deep penetration of an issue.

The rest of the post suggests you meant the latter.

Oops. Mea culpa. I meant 'insightful'. Duly edited. Thanks.

[Toland]

They played part of Brady's homily from Armagh on Pat Kenny and the way I heard it suggests that Brady is hinting that he will resign around Easter.

I didn't get that impression at all.

It sounded like the usual self-pitying hand-wringing to me. But then I'm not very fluent in homily any more.