When Irish Eyes aren't Smiling

"Tens of thousands of Irish children were sexually, physically and emotionally abused by nuns, priests and others over 60 years in a network of (Roman Catholic) church-run residential schools meant to care for the poor, the vulnerable and the unwanted, according to a report released in Dublin," read the New York Times report. The article went on to say many of these kids had committed no crime but to be born into a family with an alcoholic or mentally ill parent, or, gasp, an 'unwed mother.' Priests coerced families into placing their children into these facilities, where they were forced to work long hours and tormented during their down time.

The Church, of course, is sorry. Again, they are sorry for raping, sodomizing, and molesting, as well as beating and humiliating, the children and young people entrusted to their care.

Oh my God. How long are people going to allow this world-wide pedophile ring to operate without restriction, without answering to anybody unless they happen to feel like it? In what countries does the Roman Catholic Church operate orphanages and youth facilities today? Who is watching? Who is holding them accountable? How long will society allow them to hide behind the cloak of religious liberty and refuse to investigate them the way they would investigate any other organization?

The pope is planning to visit Irish bishops, no doubt planning strategy. If the Irish government and people lap up his forthcoming apology without demanding justice from the government, I hear there is some property for coming up for sale across the pond in Brooklyn they just might be interested in. Not that we've done any better over here. A number of known criminals who protected pedophiles, such as Roger Mahaney in California, are still out there, roaming free while victims continue to suffer because of their actions.

We need the collective governments of the world to quit kowtowing to these people and start holding them responsible for their actions.