CNN 2009-11-27

Cover-up, connivance¹, concealment² were found in the Catholic Church and in its relationship with the authorities who should have been investigating allegations of child abuse. The church was seen as being above the law, putting its own reputation before the protection of children, and being allowed to continue unchecked by a state fearful of scandal. The report covering 30 years in the Diocese of Dublin found that four archbishops did not hand over information on abuses. One priest has admitted sexually abusing more than a hundred children. Some of those abused by priests gave their reactions to the report.

"This report is a shocking indictment³ on the Catholic Church in Dublin. Its publication may bring closure for some victims. It may also serve as the only justice some victims have received. But its publication, if not acted upon, will have been a waste of opportunity to raise standards of child protection in this country."

"The institution came before the welfare of the children of this country, and all their denials are now proved to be false."

The Irish government has promised to bring pedophile priests to justice for these shocking crimes.

"As I read it, I felt a growing sense of revulsion and anger. Revulsion at the horrible evil acts committed against young children. Anger at how those children were then dealt with and how often abusers were left free to abuse. "

The current archbishop of Dublin responded for the Catholic Church. "I offer to each and every survivor⁴ my apology, my sorrow, and my shame for what happened. But I am aware that no words of apology would ever be sufficient. "

The Irish police say that they are deeply sorry for failing to protect children. The reputation of the Catholic Church in Ireland has been severely⁵ shaken. Sue Sarvil, ITV News.
 

1 connivance   

n.纵容；默许

参考例句：

• The criminals could not have escaped without your connivance.囚犯没有你的默契配合，是逃不掉的。
• He tried to bribe the police into connivance.他企图收买警察放他一马。

2 concealment   

n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒

参考例句：

• the concealment of crime 对罪行的隐瞒
• Stay in concealment until the danger has passed. 把自己藏起来，待危险过去后再出来。

3 indictment   

n.起诉；诉状

参考例句：

• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。
• They issued an indictment against them.他们起诉了他们。

4 survivor   

n.生存者，残存者，幸存者

参考例句：

• The sole survivor of the crash was an infant.这次撞车的惟一幸存者是一个婴儿。
• There was only one survivor of the plane crash.这次飞机失事中只有一名幸存者。

5 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。