Letter: Soviet-style `boot camp' for priests
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Letter: Soviet-style `boot camp' for priests
Sir: My experience of others revealing the secrets of the Roman Catholic "boot camp" at Stroud is that they are diligently sought out to account for their revelations. I hope your correspondent may evade detection.
Reports of child sex abuse by priests and religious have rightly rocked the Roman Church. Its past complacency caused much unnecessary suffering. The effect of so many stories breaking within a short period means that some priest friends of mine in Ireland no longer wear their dog collars. What was once a magic key to every heart has now become a spur to verbal and sometimes physical abuse from a disillusioned people.
The Roman hierarchy is still in shock. It has developed a strategy of openness and candour that it hopes will restore the confidence of the people. At the sharp end of this policy is the priest who has "failed".
The Roman Church has yet to reach a balanced perspective on the whole matter of its sexually active clerics. The once over-protected priest has now become guilty on the slimmest suggestion or gossip.
In some dioceses the "child protection teams" set up as a reaction to the horror stories have acquired the status of the Holy Inquisition. They beg parishes to shop their priest - to report any and all sins. In one parish I know of where the gay priest was "suspected", the diocesan child protection team begged for information to damn the man. When they received none they blamed the people for their laxness.
The Roman Church was strong to hide its evil priests; it is doing a double injustice to its clergy now because it is so afraid. Fear has always been the enemy of truth.
The Rev MARTIN REYNOLDS
Cardiff
The writer is an Anglican priest
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments