This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8570954.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Brady should 'consider position' Brady should 'consider position'
(1 day later)
The head of Ireland's Catholic Church "should consider his position", Martin McGuinness has said.The head of Ireland's Catholic Church "should consider his position", Martin McGuinness has said.
As a priest in 1975 Cardinal Sean Brady was at meetings where children signed vows of silence over complaints against paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth.As a priest in 1975 Cardinal Sean Brady was at meetings where children signed vows of silence over complaints against paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth.
The Northern Ireland deputy first minister questioned how many other children were asked to stay silent.The Northern Ireland deputy first minister questioned how many other children were asked to stay silent.
He said many Catholics shared his "great sense of unease at what we've learned over the last couple of days". However, NI Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said people should not "rush to judgement" on the issue.
Unease
Smyth was at the centre of one of the first paedophile priest scandals to rock the Catholic Church in Ireland.Smyth was at the centre of one of the first paedophile priest scandals to rock the Catholic Church in Ireland.
The Northern Ireland-born cleric was eventually convicted of dozens of offences against children over a 40-year period.The Northern Ireland-born cleric was eventually convicted of dozens of offences against children over a 40-year period.
But despite allegations being previously investigated by church officials, including the current Irish primate, Sean Brady, as far back as 1975, it was almost 20 years before he was jailed.But despite allegations being previously investigated by church officials, including the current Irish primate, Sean Brady, as far back as 1975, it was almost 20 years before he was jailed.
Mr McGuinness, who is in Washington for the annual St Patrick's Day celebrations, said the current controversy was a "grave situation".
He added: "I cannot stand back from this. As someone who believes in the Catholic religion, I think many Catholics across the island of Ireland will share my great sense of unease about what we have heard over the past couple of days.
"I am someone who passionately believes in the protection of children. Under no circumstances can we ever see again a circumstance where people have the opportunity to abuse our children."
However, Father Stephen Kearney, a parish priest in Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, said the intervention of the former IRA commander was "clouding the water".
He added: "While I agree with the sentiments Martin McGuinness has expressed, I think shouting it from 5,000 miles away is not particularly helpful.
"I think that he might have to consider his position when, thirty years ago through his actions, much more serious things happened."
Church 'clarifies' Brady's role What next for scandal-hit church? Profile of Brendan SmythChurch 'clarifies' Brady's role What next for scandal-hit church? Profile of Brendan Smyth
Cardinal Brady has said he will only step down if asked to by the Pope.Cardinal Brady has said he will only step down if asked to by the Pope.
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said on Tuesday he would not call for his superior to resign.Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said on Tuesday he would not call for his superior to resign.
Ireland's second most senior Catholic said resigning was a personal decision but the most important issue was that the entire truth comes out.Ireland's second most senior Catholic said resigning was a personal decision but the most important issue was that the entire truth comes out.
He added: "Brendan Smyth should have been stopped from the very first time it was known that he was abusing."He added: "Brendan Smyth should have been stopped from the very first time it was known that he was abusing."
'Conscience''Conscience'
Irish cabinet minister John Gormley said Cardinal Brady should examine his conscience, describing it as "a case of evil triumphing while a good man stood back from a situation".Irish cabinet minister John Gormley said Cardinal Brady should examine his conscience, describing it as "a case of evil triumphing while a good man stood back from a situation".
The Green Party leader and environment minister said it was "a deeply regrettable situation".The Green Party leader and environment minister said it was "a deeply regrettable situation".
"I suppose it is a matter for the Church authorities themselves and Cardinal Brady and his own conscience. He will have to deal with that," he said.
Mr Gormley said it was very clear none of those involved in the inquiry had reported matters to police and an "evil character" like Smyth was able to continue his abuse for many years.
On Tuesday, the Catholic Church in Ireland released more details about why Cardinal Brady asked the two victims, aged 10 and 14, to sign secrecy agreements.On Tuesday, the Catholic Church in Ireland released more details about why Cardinal Brady asked the two victims, aged 10 and 14, to sign secrecy agreements.
The church said two boys were asked to sign oaths "to avoid potential collusion" in evidence-gathering.The church said two boys were asked to sign oaths "to avoid potential collusion" in evidence-gathering.
It added this would ensure that the complaints could "withstand challenge."It added this would ensure that the complaints could "withstand challenge."
The church statement does not explain why either Cardinal Brady or his superiors at the time did not share their information with the police.The church statement does not explain why either Cardinal Brady or his superiors at the time did not share their information with the police.
I am advised that the administering of an oath requiring these children not to disclose the abuse to anyone else may also have constituted an offence Roisin Shortall, Irish Labour party
Critics of the cardinal have accused him of colluding with clerical child sexual abuse and pressuring victims to remain silent.Critics of the cardinal have accused him of colluding with clerical child sexual abuse and pressuring victims to remain silent.
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) said Cardinal Brady's position had become untenable.The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) said Cardinal Brady's position had become untenable.
"Cardinal Brady is personally implicated in collusion with clerical child sexual abuse," RCNI director Fiona Neary said."Cardinal Brady is personally implicated in collusion with clerical child sexual abuse," RCNI director Fiona Neary said.
"In recent public statements regarding clerical child abuse he did not make public his role in pressuring and bullying victims to remain silent. He did not make public his own failures to disclosure a known abuser to civil authorities."In recent public statements regarding clerical child abuse he did not make public his role in pressuring and bullying victims to remain silent. He did not make public his own failures to disclosure a known abuser to civil authorities.
"Sexual abuse that could have been prevented was not, and Brendan Smyth continued to abuse children.""Sexual abuse that could have been prevented was not, and Brendan Smyth continued to abuse children."
The opposition Irish Labour party added to the pressure on Cardinal Brady by calling for the police to investigate his role.
The party's spokeswoman on social and family affairs, Roisin Shortall, said the cardinal was "hopelessly compromised by what had emerged".
"I believe that there should be a Garda (Irish police) investigation to determine whether or not the failure to report Fr Smyth's crimes to the civil authorities was, itself, a criminal offence," she said.
"I am advised that the administering of an oath requiring these children not to disclose the abuse to anyone else may also have constituted an offence."