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18 March 2010 Edition

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McGuinness says Brady should consider his position

Martin McGuinness, speaking on Tuesday night from the United States, called on Cardinal Sean Brady to consider his position over recent revelations about the primate’s role in relation to the church’s internal investigation of now deceased paedophile priest Brendan Smyth.
Cardinal Brady has been under strong pressure to resign from his position as Catholic Primate of All-Ireland since it was revealed he was present at meetings in 1975 where a young boy and girl were asked to sign oaths of secrecy over allegations they were abused by the infamous paedophile priest.
The matter was never reported to the authorities and Smyth went on to abuse children for a further 18 years.
Speaking in Washington, McGuinness said that he believed “many Catholics will be dismayed at the news that they are hearing now almost on a daily basis.
“It is a very grave situation which is before the Catholic Church and Catholic people in the North. I do think Cardinal Brady needs to consider his position.”
McGuinness and Peter Robinson, travelling together in their official roles as Joint First Ministers for meetings with political and economic representatives, met with U.S. president Barack Obama at a St. Patrick’s Day reception in the White House on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the two men held talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Both men began their visit by meeting potential investors in Chicago.

Also see: A reflection on the Irish Catholic Church and the clerical scandals and Liberation theology: Sharing the people's lot

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