Clerical abuse also relied upon the scarcity of “righteous gentiles”

| Readers 10

Dermot Keogh examines the diplomatic ramifications of the taoiseach’s speech, not least the wider consequences for both the Vatican and Ireland. But he leaves his sharpest question until the end:

In reviewing the history of the past 90 years on this island, why – confronted by such widespread child sexual abuse – were there so few “righteous gentiles” in church, State or society ready to stand up and speak out in the face of such an unspeakable, pervasive evil?

Quite so. It should also raise the question what in the name of not rocking the boat are we secular gentiles tolerating right now for the sake of a quiet life?

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