Ireland’s Cardinal Sean Brady has apologized for any failures related to his role in investigating clerical abuse cases and said he “will reflect on what he has heard from those who have been hurt by abuse”.
In his St Patrick’s Day homily at Armagh Cathedral, Cardinal Brady said he was “ashamed” by the fact that he has not always upheld the values that he professes and believes in, BBC News reported.
It emerged at the weekend that he had conducted canonical inquiries into allegations of child sex abuse by Fr Brendan Smyth 35 years ago, involving two young people, without reporting the allegations to civil authorities.
“This week a painful episode from my own past has come before me. I have listened to reaction from people to my role in events thirty five years ago,” he said.
“I want to say to anyone who has been hurt by any failure on my part that I apologise to you with all my heart. I also apologise to all those who feel I have let them down. Looking back I am ashamed that I have not always upheld the values that I profess and believe in,” he added
But Australian victims advocacy group Broken Rites says "nothing much" has changed for victims of abuse by the clergy, despite apologies from Pope Benedict and now from Cardinal Brady.
"Broken Rites continually gets calls from people who tell us that the process set up by the church to deal with these matters is inadequate and certainly doesn't serve them well," said the group's Chris MacIsaac.
FULL STORY
Ashamed Cardinal Brady apologises and reflects (Cathnews USA)
Catholic apology not enough for abuse victims (ABC)