Joe, if what you say about Army recruits is true, I agree that it's to be deplored. So what?

What angers me about the Catholic church's culture of abuse is the arrogance, hypocrisy and contempt for the laity that has allowed it to flourish. Thus a "fallen woman" is to be excoriated and her child denied baptism and Christian burial, while an archbishopo, when his own contemptible behaviour is exposed, is quick to remember Christian values: "I sometimes wonder if we are in danger of losing our sense of mercy and forgiveness in Ireland today." Thus Cardinal Brady responded to calls for his resignation or dismissal.

And are you suggesting, Joe, that Brady's role in covering up a priest's criminal abuse of children was a small matter? [Apologies for calling him O'Brady earlier. I blame my fingers.]