Goodbye Cardinal Brady

at

brendan
oath

The oath of secrecy signed in 1975 by Brendan Boland (top) and [then] Fr John Brady after Brendan had revealed he had been repeatedly raped and tortured by Fr Brendan Smyth over a three year period

Brendan, then 14, said he hoped that by reporting the crimes to Fr Brady (and two other priests)  it would end the abuse for himself and others.

Before signing, and while Fr Brady was taking notes, Brendan was asked “relentlessly” about his own sexual impulses, behaviour and whether he had “enjoyed” the abuse.

It was not until 1994 that Fr Smyth was convicted of four decades of sex crimes against children.

Cardinal Séan Brady offers pope his resignation (BBC)

Pics via Sworn To Secrecy By Brendan Boland and Darrah MacIntyre (O’BrienPress)

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23 thoughts on “Goodbye Cardinal Brady

    1. ABM

      Letter looks innocuous enough. It was for his own protection. Secrecy is a tool that is used by governments and private organisations day in, day out.

      Don’t see what the big deal is really.

      Why did it take this person 40 years to go public about this? Oh yes that’s right – he benefited from the secrecy!

        1. ABM

          I call bollox on the “enjoyed” remark above.

          Whatever about uncovering abuse and holding people to account using the media (you’re not judges, let me remind you); dropping in that clanger and presenting it as fact just makes you out as a bunch of anti-Catholic cranks.

  1. Bacchus

    He should be charged with perverting the course of justice and of course enabling perverts avoid justice.

  2. Formerly known as @ireland.com

    I don’t understand how anyone in Ireland has anything to do with the RCC. Run them out of town.

      1. Formerly known as @ireland.com

        I don’t have time for any cults, myself. Most cults haven’t been proven to be as corrupt as the RCC.

  3. Odis

    No doubt the Church will jump at the opportunity to be rid of him. Which is sad, he served as a constant reminder of their corruption. As well as looking a lot like Victor Meldrew.

  4. huppenstop

    I always think that if a secular organisation like the GAA or something had had so many instances of their members abusing children, and if they had been implicated in trying to prevent victims speaking out, would they even be in existence now? Would people still be happy to let their kids go there? Would there have not been calls at every level to shut them down?

      1. Kieran NYC

        Although if it had been one small creche, there would be marches on the street until some hysterical law was put in place.

        Systematic abuse in large organizations where you might be a member? Naaaahhh…

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