VOA标准英语2010年-Irish Cardinal Apologizes for Sex Abus

Primate¹ of All Ireland Cardinal² Sean Brady, pauses during St Patrick's Day mass at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, Northern Ireland, 17 Mar³ 2010

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland has apologized for his handling of a child sex abuse scandal 35 years ago. 

Cardinal Sean Brady chose to issue a very public apology in his St. Patrick's Day sermon in the cathedral in Armagh, in Northern Ireland.  Speaking to journalists afterwards, he explained.

"I apologized to those who have suffered as a result of abuse in the past and particularly, I apologized to those who due to my failures in the past have suffered," he said.

Cardinal Brady's apology centers on the case of pedophile priest, Father Brendan Smyth, who was arrested, tried and convicted in 1994 of abusing and raping⁴ young boys and girls in Ireland as well as in the United States. Smyth died in a military prison in Ireland in 1997.

It's been revealed that Sean Brady, then a junior church official, knew of Smyth's abuse in 1975. He was involved in an investigation⁵ into abuse allegations and met with two of Smyth's young victims.  Brady did not tell the police and the two young boys were instead told to sign a secrecy⁶ oath.

At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI said he was deeply concerned about the crisis.  Speaking before a weekly general audience, the pope said he would send a pastoral letter to Ireland's Roman Catholics about the scandal.

"I ask all of you to read it for yourselves with an open heart and in a spirit of faith," said Pope Benedict XVI.  "My hope is that it will help in the process of repentance⁷, healing and renewal⁸."

Child and sex abuse scandals have rocked the Catholic Church in the United States as well as in Europe. Ireland was shaken by revelations of decades of widespread child abuse and evidence of a cover up late last year.  Reports of sexual abuse also surfaced recently in Germany and elsewhere.

Cardinal Brady said the past had to be confronted.

"Dealing⁹ with the past is never easy - for individuals, society, for the church - but it has to be done and the future has to be faced," added Brady.

Brady said he would reflect on what the future might hold in the coming weeks. There have been calls for the cardinal's resignation.
 

1 primate   

n.灵长类（目）动物，首席主教；adj.首要的

参考例句：

• 14 percent of primate species are highly endangered.14%的灵长类物种处于高度濒危状态。
• The woolly spider monkey is the largest primate in the Americas.绒毛蛛猴是美洲最大的灵长类动物。

2 cardinal   

n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的

参考例句：

• This is a matter of cardinal significance.这是非常重要的事。
• The Cardinal coloured with vexation. 红衣主教感到恼火，脸涨得通红。

3 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

4 raping   

v.以暴力夺取，强夺( rape的现在分词 )；强奸

参考例句：

• In response, Charles VI sent a punitive expedition to Brittany, raping and killing the populace. 作为报复，查理六世派军讨伐布列塔尼，奸淫杀戮平民。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The conquerors marched on, burning, killing, raping and plundering as they went. 征服者所到之处烧杀奸掠，无所不做。 来自互联网

5 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

6 secrecy   

n.秘密，保密，隐蔽

参考例句：

• All the researchers on the project are sworn to secrecy.该项目的所有研究人员都按要求起誓保守秘密。
• Complete secrecy surrounded the meeting.会议在绝对机密的环境中进行。

7 repentance   

n.懊悔

参考例句：

• He shows no repentance for what he has done.他对他的所作所为一点也不懊悔。
• Christ is inviting sinners to repentance.基督正在敦请有罪的人悔悟。

8 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

9 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。