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Pope Francis reaches out to hug Cardinal Archbishop emeritus Theodore McCarrick in 2015. Jonathan Newton

Pope Francis orders US bishop accused of sexual abuse to live 'a life of prayer and penance'

The Holy See’s announcement about McCarrick said that Francis was taking action.

POPE FRANCIS HAS accepted US prelate Theodore McCarrick’s offer to resign from the College of Cardinals following allegations of sexual abuse, including one involving an 11-year-old boy, and ordered him to conduct a “life of prayer and penance” in a home to be designated by the pontiff until a church trial is held, the Vatican said.

Francis acted swiftly after receiving McCarrick’s letter of resignation yesterday evening, after recent weeks have brought a spate of allegations that the 88-year-old prelate in the course of his distinguished clerical career had sexually abused both boys and adult seminarians. The revelations posed a test of the pontiff’s recently declared resolve to battle what he called a “culture of cover-up” of similar abuse in the Catholic’s church’s hierarchy.

McCarrick had been already removed from public ministry since 20 June, pending a full investigation into allegations he fondled a teenager over 40 years ago in New York City. A man, who was 11 at the time of the first alleged instance of abuse, says a sexually abusive relationship continued for two more decades. McCarrick has denied the initial allegation.

The prelate rose steadily up the US Church’s ranks, from auxiliary bishop in New York City, to bishop in Metuchen, New Jersey, to archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, and then to Archbishop of Washington, DC, the nation’s capital, the city where the papal ambassador to the United States is based.

While most of the scandals involving pedophile clergy have involved rank-and-file priests, some cases involved bishops, and there are a few involving cardinals, including a current case in Australia of one of Pope Francis’ closest advisers, Cardinal George Pell, who now faces a criminal trial in his homeland.

In the case of Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien, accused by former seminarians in 2013 of sexual misconduct, Francis only accepted his resignation after the Vatican’s top abuse prosecutor conducted a full investigation, two years after the first revelations came out.

But the Holy See’s announcement about McCarrick said that Francis was taking action, by isolating McCarrick and ordering penance even before “accusations made against him are examined in a regular canonical trial.” In addition, Francis, “ordered his suspension from the exercise of any public ministry,” indicating he was approving the measure already in effect since last month.

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    Mute Alan Lawlor
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:46 PM

    How about ordering him, as penance, to hand himself over to the police? And plead guilty to avoid anguish of victims in a trial?

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    Mute WJH
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:49 PM

    @Alan Lawlor: How about we nail him to that big cross when the popey comes over and just leave him there to rot?

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    Mute Mollie K
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:53 PM

    @Alan Lawlor: @Alan Lawlor: Tell me, how can the pope decide he can live a life of penance. Does he not have to be charged and trialed and jailed like everyone else who commits these crimes??

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    Mute Ken Hayden
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:54 PM

    @Alan Lawlor: That’s exactly what the pope should be saying , man up and face the music .

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    Mute Low Energy Jeb
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:36 PM

    @Mollie K: Fortunately, that’s a decision for the civil authorities in the US. The pope has no say in who should be charged, trialed, and jailed….

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    Mute Tom Molloy
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:26 PM

    @WJH: If he was accused in the Irish system he would be protected by the innocent until proven guilty and it has been sent to the DPP for years and the told not to do it again.

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    Mute Ger
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:30 PM

    @Mollie K: he can’t be tried for the alleged crimes because the USA has a statute of limitations of usually around 10 years depending on the state. He will be tried under cannon law by the church, for all the good that will do.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:52 PM

    @Ger: shockingly enough it’s 5 years, but it’s five years from the time the victim turns 18 in the case of children.

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    Mute Billy the great
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    Jul 28th 2018, 6:29 PM

    Its all the haters i am most happy for with this visit :)

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    Mute O Swetenham
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:41 PM

    That’ll learn him. Shouldn’t priests be living a life of prayer and penance anyway.

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    Mute andrew
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:50 PM

    @O Swetenham: “ordered his suspension from the exercise of any public ministry” . He can take a break from work while he is at it. That will really hurt.

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    Mute Jack Jackson
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:52 PM

    @O Swetenham: They lied about that too……it really isn’t a surprise from an organisation full of complete bull!!

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    Mute Ken Hayden
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:53 PM

    @O Swetenham: No they would be monks .

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    Mute emer caffrey
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    Jul 28th 2018, 6:17 PM

    @O Swetenham: yeah, leave our kids alone

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    Mute DaisyMay
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:43 PM

    An 11 year old boy. Beyond disgusting. That’s what we are welcoming when we welcome Pope Francis.

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    Mute Tom Molloy
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:09 PM

    @DaisyMay: This is as bad as the suspended sentence and released on bail in the Irish justice system. Not just male on male abuse is discussing and it is not commonly distinguished from other abuse.

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    Mute Tom Molloy
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:17 PM

    @Tom Molloy: ……disgusting…….

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    Mute Sean Conway
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    Jul 28th 2018, 5:03 PM

    @DaisyMay: Imagine the fear they put into children. don’t tell your mother and father or else.

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    Mute Tom Molloy
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    Jul 28th 2018, 10:43 PM

    @Sean Conway: In families its “your father, brother etc will be put in jail and you will disgrace the family. The evil cunning abusers use such tactics to protect themselves.

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    Mute Annemarie Kelly
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    Jul 29th 2018, 4:42 PM

    @DaisyMay: Just like you I certainly won’t be welcoming the pope when he arrives in Ireland…
    In fact it’s a great opportunity for the guards to arrest him on his arrival!

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    Mute Slim Shady
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:40 PM

    Say three Hail Mary’s & five Our Father’s.

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    Mute Daveinson
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:46 PM

    @Slim Shady: that’s a bit much he didn’t kill anyone.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:42 PM

    Most cases involve rank and file priests because they do not get promoted because their behaviours were known. They just got moved instead.

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    Mute DaisyMay
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:44 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: it’s hard to know who were worse. The abusers or those that enabled the abuse.

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    Mute Ken Hayden
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:55 PM

    @DaisyMay: I believe both should be tried the same .

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    Mute DaisyMay
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:06 PM

    @Ken Hayden: at the very least they should try ONE. Penance disgusting outcome

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    Mute Paul Harvey
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:10 PM

    @DaisyMay: equally as bad. What a horrible religion

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    Mute Low Energy Jeb
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:39 PM

    @DaisyMay: It’s not up to the Church to try anyone, Daisy. They might hold their own investigation into the matter but they have no say in proceeding with civil trials under the law.

    Are you suggesting we give religious authorities the right to have a say in civil trials?

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    Mute Ken Hayden
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:51 PM

    @Paul Harvey: Is it the religion that instructs these crimes , or the hierarchy that covers them up . There have been many cases of abuse in non catholic organisations , if you can point to anything in catholic doctrine that permits paedophillia , do share it .
    The cover up by the hierarchy deserves complete criticism .
    P.s , I am not a catholic anymore .

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:57 PM

    @Ken Hayden: well either paedophiles flock to the teachings or they pick it up along the way.

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    Mute Low Energy Jeb
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    Jul 28th 2018, 3:11 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: No Dave, pedophiles are usually found in areas where access to children is not guarded, regardless of the “teaching” of the organisation.

    Like Ken says, Catholic doctrine does not support paedophilia; however, the lack of guards and the systematic cover-ups by the Church hierarchy created an environment where they flourished…

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    Mute Ken Hayden
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:02 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: Do we not debate these types of people on other threads , you know the ones that say they are born that way and it’s not a mental health issue . As @low energy jeb said , these types of people are drawn to children , whether it be the scouts or a sports team .But the cover up of such crimes is equally abhorrent , that’s the problem in the church .
    I repeat , if anyone can show me anything in catholic doctrine that condones sexual abuse of children , let me know .

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    Mute Michael Kelly
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    Jul 28th 2018, 5:02 PM

    @Low Energy Jeb: Well they kind of do…as in, place your right hand on the BIBLE & repeat after me: I swear to tell the ect…so religious authorities do have a place in every Court Case,
    And then you can be Charged with Perjury ( if found to be lying ) after being Sworn in…so…

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Jul 28th 2018, 5:15 PM

    @Ken Hayden: just to be clear you’re drawing a comparison between transgenderism and paedophilia?

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    Mute Mick Murphy
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    Jul 28th 2018, 5:20 PM

    @Michael Kelly: not necessarily Michael. The option is available solemnly declare the truth with no bibles involved if you so wish and perjury is punishable equally if you are found to be lying.

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    Mute Michael Kelly
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    Jul 29th 2018, 2:25 AM

    @Mick Murphy: Thanks for that Mick..But what I initially meant was : There is a BIBLE in every Court, albeit maybe only truly religious persons may abide to its law ie.. GOD fearing Men/Women etc.. But there is a religious Presence..
    Ps. Not going too deep in that direction, just simply saying….& thanks for the amicable response…

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:07 PM

    What does it take for people to open their eyes to this criminal organization. Millions will be spent by the Irish taxpayers to pay for his visit . As head of this organisation he should be arrested and held to account for it’s world wide crimes.

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    Mute Carol 'is this what bodily autonomy feels like?'C.
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    Jul 28th 2018, 3:51 PM

    @Donal Desmond: ufortunately so many people don’t care until it has happened to their own family or friends. Pure selfishness.

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    Mute Bi88les
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:50 PM

    Wag wag finger. Now don’t get caught next time!

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    Mute alphanautica
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:28 PM

    A harrowing experience for the Church that the truth could no longer be contained behind their closed doors after 40 years of careful management.
    Call the cops.

    63
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    Mute Sorcha Hendry instagram: @SorchaHendry86
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:53 PM

    Yeah because that’s going to teach him to stop abusing people

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    Mute Jack Jackson
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:18 PM

    @Sorcha Hendry instagram: @SorchaHendry86:
    I don’t think we can teach a creep not to be a creep because they can’t be empathetic. Selfishness and a total lack of feeling for another living thing is ingrained into their unconscious. Meaning they will always be unaware of it as their selfishness won’t allow then to change and see their evil. There is a requirement for the death penalty and all child abusers should face it.

    38
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    Mute Ronan Barrett
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:54 PM

    A church trial??? Oh well it appears your guilty so let’s hide you away so that no justice will ever actually be served! the church is rotten to the core and yet people still follow it.. it’s mind boggling!

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    Mute Low Energy Jeb
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:42 PM

    @Ronan Barrett: The Church can’t bring civil cases against these people, Ronan. They don’t have any real power to do that, thank God…

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    Mute Colm O'Leary
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:41 PM

    How about as soon as the pope lands here the police do their job and arrest him for obstruction of justice. Which is what that organization has been doing for hundreds of years by sheltering pedophile priests and nuns

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    Mute Patrick James Walsh
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:03 PM

    what about a life behind bars for this sex offender Fran, ? the life of penance and prayer , people don`t care about

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    Mute PaddyOverABarrel
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:46 PM

    And the brainwashed irish sheeple are going to meet and greet this figure head who resides over all this filth….the mind boggles.

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    Mute Deirdre Gosson
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    Jul 28th 2018, 3:24 PM

    He should be doing his prayer and penance in a jail cell not the luxury of a monastery. !

    44
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    Mute Nigel o'Neill
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:29 PM

    ‘church trial’
    Here’s the thing though,this is an abuse case in the public domain that should be dealt with by the authorities like any other human…the various states are completely complicit in all of it as long as they allow the churches to deal with crimes by its members in its own way!
    I respect people’s beliefs but this all backs upy own personal belief that the establishment in the relevant states are hand in hand with organised religion as the religious mantra’s help the establishment maintain control over the masses!

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    Mute Frances Faller
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    Jul 28th 2018, 3:46 PM

    If the Pope is assisting a criminal then he should not be let into Ireland

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:20 PM

    @Frances Faller: accessory after the fact, this pope by his actions is as guilty

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    Mute Rosemarie Martin
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:25 PM

    So many people are trying to hang on to their religion, Roman Catholicism, others have been turned away from God by these Evil people.
    If Francis does not insist that this lawbreaker and paedophile [active] who preaches one thing and practices another on vulnerable 11 year olds is not jailed, then I give up.

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    Mute Phil Swan
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:58 PM

    A shameful way for Christians to behave and it makes all Christians lives harder because of people like these. If Fran wants to change things he’s going to have to break the whole thing and do away with church law. These r@pists should be handed over to the law of the country they live in to be tried like any other citizen would be. Ordering them to take it easier isn’t really a deterrent!

    I also note not one word of apology offered, while no where near enough, not even offered. Shameful.

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    Mute Trevor croft
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:18 PM

    Ehh fcuk off

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    Mute Thomas Harrington
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    Jul 28th 2018, 3:49 PM

    @Trevor croft: well said old chap

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    Mute Lastpost
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    Jul 28th 2018, 6:32 PM

    Yet we will adorn him when he visits how about a boycott, we give them the power

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    Mute Kevin Barry
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:18 PM

    “Moved swiftly” 40 years is the churches idea of swift? The leaders of this organisation should be in the courts explaining why these animals were allowed to practice their horrific sexual activity. Instead we give them the run of the city and half a million people will turn up to tell them, “ah sure it’s alright everyone was at it” Yes we are a flock of very mindless stupid sheep.

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    Mute Derek Moean
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:49 PM

    Public Hanging is the onley answer for this vermin.

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    Mute Sean Conway
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:54 PM

    It’s too late now frankie. the damage has been done over many dacades. filthy get.

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    Mute DaisyMay
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    Jul 28th 2018, 2:07 PM

    @Sean Conway: it’s never to late for justice. To acknowledge a victims pain and punish the abuser

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    Mute Maggie O'Sullivan
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    Jul 28th 2018, 6:20 PM

    The world is INFESTED with paedophiles, monsters and perverts. Everyday it’s happening, it’s in the papers, the TV, the internet. After reading this, it makes me feel sick. When the pope comes to Ireland, you will see people kissing his hand and praising him and telling him how wonderful he is. He is just a man like any other man but wearing a dress.

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    Mute Chipstix
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    Jul 28th 2018, 7:06 PM

    @Maggie O’Sullivan: so true.

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    Mute Sean Leonard
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    Jul 28th 2018, 1:43 PM

    On his knees?

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    Mute Caroline Free-Travers
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    Jul 28th 2018, 6:49 PM

    Seriously is this for real?

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    Mute andyearley
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    Jul 28th 2018, 6:50 PM

    That’ll teach him.

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    Mute Charles McCarthy
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:24 PM

    You are not a man of god. You are not a man of god. You are not a man of god. You are not a man of god. You are not a man of god…………so the saying goes I believe.

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    Mute Mari
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    Jul 28th 2018, 4:06 PM

    Put him in jail

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    Mute pg38
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    Jul 28th 2018, 7:43 PM

    Ah sure that’s grand so

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Jul 28th 2018, 8:47 PM

    What a disturbing thing to do, he probably get a job at a school now?

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    Mute Ann Larkin
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    Jul 28th 2018, 11:49 PM

    A life of prayer and penance. what nonsense he will be sent to a nice house in the country to live out the rest of his sick life with a servant or two to take care of his every need. no matter he and his likes may escape the judgement of this world, but they shall never escape the judgement of Him who is to come.

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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Jul 28th 2018, 9:56 PM

    I would love to see how the life of penance for paedophile emeritus looks like.

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    Mute Ruaridgeback
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    Jul 29th 2018, 9:22 AM

    Handing over his files to the police, instead of officially hindering lawful investigation would be the Christian thing to do. Maybe, someday, the Vatican will realize that’s why people have left the church in droves. Claiming to be God’s law on earth while protecting child abusers seems somewhat of an oxymoron and, dare I say it, a mortal sin.

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    Mute Colm Lyons
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    Jul 28th 2018, 8:41 PM

    Priest’s giving out about having sex with young women is to be expected really, after all there not 6 year old boys.

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    Mute Jams O' Donnell
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    Jul 28th 2018, 10:00 PM

    Spot on boss. No problem.

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    Mute Dermot Donohoe
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    Jul 29th 2018, 12:48 AM

    Penance won’t un-rape those boys.

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    Mute Chef Denise Downey
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    Jul 29th 2018, 12:23 AM

    What a joke ….absolutely appalling

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    Mute Lastpost
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    Jul 28th 2018, 6:30 PM

    Yet we

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Jul 29th 2018, 5:02 PM

    Prayer and penance. With time off for good behaviour?

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