THE CLERICAL ABUSE victim at the centre of the controversy around Cardinal Seán Brady has said his healing process cannot begin until Brady resigns his position.
Brendan Boland, who was interviewed by Brady as a teenager in 1975 after being sexually abused by Fr Brendan Smyth, welcomed yesterday’s apology from the now Primate of All Ireland.
Brady has faced repeated calls to resign since a BBC programme revealed details of his role in the 1975 inquiry, in which he took notes while abuse victims were interviewed. Brady was given names and addresses of other boys being abused by Smyth, but did not take measures to protect them or inform their parents.
Boland today also urged Brady to quit as leader of the Irish Church. In a statement published in full by BBC News, Boland said:
I know that my healing, and I fear the healing of many other abuse victims, will not begin while Cardinal Brady remains as Primate of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
He said he was “delighted” that Brady had now offered a public apology, and said some aspects of the now Cardinal’s behaviour during the 1975 inquiry had been the “right and proper thing”.
Boland added that he hoped he “may yet find the strength to meet personally” with Cardinal Brady.
This weekend, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said a full and independent investigation of the widespread abuse by Fr Brendan Smyth was needed, covering the involvement of both Church and State.
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