Well, funnily enough, I went to a school run by a religious order, and I wasn't abused, or aware of any (in the 70's and 80's). I wasn't aware of any in the schools that friends attended either.

If it was that widespread, then why are so many people surprised and upset by the revelations. Could the church have acted better? Yes. Are they acting now to combat the problem? Yes.

As the one who started the thread, I have a question for you Tropper - are all soldiers who served in NI murdering pillaging sadistic thugs who actively assisted loyalist terrorists and worked to subvert the rules they were sworn to uphold?

Of course not. Don't deny that some were, but they were a tiny minority. Did the army sometimes cover up for them? I couldn't be definite, having not served there, but I've heard stories and read court reports that suggest they might have. Did that totally negate the good work and professionalism of the vast majority?

Whatever your answer is, I think that the same applies to the Catholic Church.

PS, Tropper, if you are quoting a story on the BBC, can we have a link? I'm especially keen to know where they say the Gardai are afraid to take action in case they offend anybody. I thought that the gentleman in question had been in front of the courts and served a sentence.

Originally Posted by flamingo

Well, funnily enough, I went to a school run by a religious order, and I wasn't abused, or aware of any (in the 70's and 80's). I wasn't aware of any in the schools that friends attended either.

If it was that widespread, then why are so many people surprised and upset by the revelations. Could the church have acted better? Yes. Are they acting now to combat the problem? Yes.

As the one who started the thread, I have a question for you Tropper - are all soldiers who served in NI murdering pillaging sadistic thugs who actively assisted loyalist terrorists and worked to subvert the rules they were sworn to uphold?

Of course not. Don't deny that some were, but they were a tiny minority. Did the army sometimes cover up for them? I couldn't be definite, having not served there, but I've heard stories and read court reports that suggest they might have. Did that totally negate the good work and professionalism of the vast majority?

Whatever your answer is, I think that the same applies to the Catholic Church.

A Taig then/

Originally Posted by western

Originally Posted by flamingo

Well, funnily enough, I went to a school run by a religious order, and I wasn't abused, or aware of any (in the 70's and 80's). I wasn't aware of any in the schools that friends attended either.

If it was that widespread, then why are so many people surprised and upset by the revelations. Could the church have acted better? Yes. Are they acting now to combat the problem? Yes.

As the one who started the thread, I have a question for you Tropper - are all soldiers who served in NI murdering pillaging sadistic thugs who actively assisted loyalist terrorists and worked to subvert the rules they were sworn to uphold?

Of course not. Don't deny that some were, but they were a tiny minority. Did the army sometimes cover up for them? I couldn't be definite, having not served there, but I've heard stories and read court reports that suggest they might have. Did that totally negate the good work and professionalism of the vast majority?

Whatever your answer is, I think that the same applies to the Catholic Church.

A Taig then/

And you are?

Not a Taig.

Originally Posted by flamingo

PS, Tropper, if you are quoting a story on the BBC, can we have a link? I'm especially keen to know where they say the Gardai are afraid to take action in case they offend anybody.

How paedophile priest was allowed to evade justice - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programme...ht/8556659.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8566671.stm

I would have thought that oath of silence bit was conspiracy to pervert the course of justice - but I understand that's a hobby in Ireland, not a crime.

Both cases relate to incidents over 25 years ago, and the behaviour of the administration was disgraceful in both cases linked to. The fact that the Government in Ireland has (with a large amount of co-operation from the church, although not as much as there should have been from certain quarters) has done a lot to uncover and make amends for the failings of the past.

The level of care provided to vulnerable children in Borstals and similar institutions in the UK has not been subjected to the same level of scrutiny, not to mention the enforced transportation of children to the colonies. I haven't heard of anybody been jailed ar any compensation been paid out over these cases.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...er/8533546.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8531664.stm

It's just annoys the hell out of me the generalisations that are blasted out by idiots (not only on this site) without any reflection on what they are saying.

I'm sorry for just accusing you of being a Catholic you are quite clearly a child abuser as well.