Dr. Williams’ comments ignorant and unhelpful, Irish Anglicans claim: The Church of England Newspaper, April 9. 2010, p 3. April 18, 2010
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Dr. John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin
First published in The Church of England Newspaper.
Irish Anglican leaders have scolded the Archbishop of Canterbury for telling the BBC that the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland had “lost all credibility” following revelations of child abuse among the clergy, saying his remarks were ignorant, thoughtless and unhelpful.
The Church of Ireland has distanced itself from Dr. Williams’ remarks stating they were overly broad and had the potential to set back ecumenical relations. The comments may also have had the perverse effect of diverting the issue from child abuse, causing Irish Catholics to rally in the face of criticism from the head of the English Protestant Church.
In a statement issued on April 3, the Anglican Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. John Neill expressed his “deep regret” over Dr. Williams’ remarks.
“As one who with so many of my colleagues in ministry shares with that Church in a joint proclamation of the Gospel, and who acknowledges the pain and deep suffering of the victims of abuse, I also feel for the countless priests and bishops who daily live out their Christian vocation,” Dr. Neill said.
The Archbishop of Dublin added that he extended his support to his Roman Catholic counterpart Archbishop Diarmuid Martin “as he works for the proclamation of the Gospel and the healing of hurt, including that of the faithful and their clergy whose ministry has been undermined by those guilty of the abuse of children.”
The head of the Church of Ireland’s Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue, Bishop Richard Clarke of Meath and Kildare on April 3 stated Dr. Williams was speaking from ignorance about the Irish scene.
“Whereas it is clearly true that the Roman Catholic Church in this country is facing deep and serious challenges to its authority as a consequence of clerical abuse scandals, this careless and reckless use of language by Archbishop Williams is extremely unfortunate,” Dr. Clarke said.
“As those of us who live in this country know very well, most bishops, priests and religious of the Roman Catholic tradition minister faithfully and selflessly under very difficult conditions with the love and support of their people.”
“All credibility has most certainly not been lost to the Church, and it is deeply hurtful to Roman Catholic clergy and laity alike, and indeed to those of other Christian traditions, that such a thoughtless remark should be made by Archbishop Williams,” he said.
“It should be remembered that the archbishop has neither experience of Irish life nor any direct ecclesiastical authority in this country. I hope that he will reflect on his comments, and I deeply regret the hurt that he has caused,” Dr. Clarke said.
