In the responses of some to recent awful news of sexual abuse of children in Catholic schools there is a thread – and even a culture – of denial that can only delay the recovery and renewal of the church.

This was the theme of a homily delivered by Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell on Sep 22nd 2024, in a call for a complete accounting for past failure.

“Listening to the stark and distressing testimony of this (the scoping report on abuse in Catholic schools), and other reports over the last 20 years is as painful and difficult, as the content of those reports is outrageous and scandalous. While some are filled with anger, others close their ears, or dismiss it, or explain it away, or blame the extensive coverage on hostility towards the Church, there is a thread of denial and disengagement in many of these responses. It is possible to go further, and speak even of a ‘culture of denial’ with respect to sexual abuse.

“It is vital that we come to recognise the dynamics of denial, and address them. Not just the call of the gospel, but basic human justice, demands that we not dismiss the witness of those who suffered abuse, but recognise their continuing hurt and suffering, and begin to come to terms with the fact that this darkness has roots deep within ourselves. When that darkness finds itself masked by outward displays of piety and exterior appearances of service, its destructive potential is amplified. Report after report, victim after victim, testifies to the horror unleashed by this manifestation of evil.” 

Patterns of Evil & Moral Cowardice

“We ask ourselves how such sustained patterns of evil could arise and either be unknown to those who should have known, or ignored if, as appears to have been too often the case, if it was known or suspected. Clearly, fear of scandal, a sense of shame, and moral cowardice all played a part. So too did the position of power and privilege that the Church and religious institutions enjoyed in a society which was overly deferential in a society that was depressed and impoverished, in an Ireland which for decades had been unable to offer its people, especially those from poorer urban and rural backgrounds, the possibility of making a decent living in their own land.

“But there is a deeper level – a more demanding and engaged dimension: we who have come to know these stories of abuse and exploitation, and have taken on board the pervasiveness of an education culture that was marked by violence and punishment, are called to see this as part of our own history – as part of our story, as a Church, as a society, and as a country. Simplistic separations will do nothing to heal what has occurred. We have to acknowledge what happened as ours. This involves a change of culture, and cultural change is slow. It demands ongoing attention, constant work, and determined leadership. But change happens: the peace process on this island shows us that. Real change takes time, which makes it all the more important that we do not give up.”

Structures of Accountability Needed

“Until we truly own what has happened, the necessary change of heart will remain on the surface – and a superficial ‘change of heart,’ is no change of heart. In the Church, we are called to renew our commitment to make our Church, our parishes, our schools and all our activities safe for children and vulnerable adults, and to embrace the structures and accountability which that requires.”

For Archbishop Farrell’s complete homily, click here.