A long way to go

Abstract

The last few weeks have been dark and difficult in the Irish Church. I have heard people, especially priests, say that it has been the most difficult time for them since we started to have to deal with child sexual abuse. What is perhaps new is a realization that the child sexual abuse 'crisis' is not now going to go away any time soon. No turning point is in sight. Most bishops and many priests will probably never experience a time in their ministry when this issue will not be the most prominent and pressing with which they have to deal.