Not enough any more for good men to do nothing

The report of the Dublin Diocesan Commission of Investigation has been released. And with the revelations that the enormous document has unveiled, the Catholic Church has probably died a little bit more.It's a difficult time for Catholics. And it's a difficult time for Ireland. And it's been that way for some time: among the ranks of Catholic clergy around the world who have been convicted of sex offences, there have been plenty of Irish names to be heard; the Christian Brothers - an Irish congregation - has featured high on the list of offenders in Australia, and in Canada; the missionary nature of the Irish church has seen priests from this country abuse children across the world.For the ordinary decent Catholics of this country, it is hard to keep one's head held high, and one's faith strong in the face of this onslaught of shameful scandal; this litany of perversion and evil.And for the ordinary decent priests, who entered the church with a true vocation: a desire to serve, to help, to convert, to preach, to spread the good news, this must be also be an awful time. It takes bravery to wear clerical garb these days; it takes true courage to declare oneself a priest - and leave oneself open to a possible litany of abuse and accusation.How much more difficult life has become for priests in this country: trying to save souls in a nation where fewer and fewer believe; trying to keep the faith alive in a country where religion has fallen to the end of the list of so many people's list of priorities.It's been widely commented that the church in Ireland started losing its place the day that Bishop Eamon Casey announced his resignation as Bishop of Galway for "personal reasons".It's also been widely remarked upon since that his "sin" seems so mild and indeed almost innocent, compared to what has emerged since.We've had the Dear Daughter film, the States of Fear documentaries, the Magdalen Laundries films, "Would You Believe" episodes, some of the many programmes on television that have exposed the extent of what appears to have been endemic in church-run institutions in this state.However, there are things that must be remembered, in the midst of this turmoil. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by priests: just this week, a Mullingar man was convicted of abuse against a teenage girl over a five year period; each week there are reports of horrendous cases of abuse - often incestuous - against young people the length and breadth of this country.And indeed, there have always been good priests; there are still good priests; and the church in this country has done - and continues to do much good.Without the Catholic church, there would have been a far inferior education system in this country; the church has done invaluable work in healthcare, in social work; in caring for the poor.At times of death, it is to the church we turn for solace and care; at times of serious illness, most people are more than happy to have the comforting words of a priest; in times of worry, fear, unhappiness, many's the priest - and nun - that has provided what amounted to counselling, advice, and other practical assistance.We do still want our church; we do still need our church. But we do adamantly want our church reformed. We do not want a church that covers up scandal and abuse and that protects the evil; we do want a church that leads by example, not one that drives by terror.The priests who have shamed this church, and shamed our nation have done incalculable damage to the lives of so many people: their victims, their victims' families; and their fellow priests. And indeed, those non-clerical people who have engaged in abuse have done likewise.As indeed, have all those who have known of things happening that they have not stopped. All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.