Via The Irish Times
The first person in Ireland to have gone public – in 1995 – about his abuse by a Catholic priest has formally left the Catholic Church.
Andrew Madden, who was abused when an altar boy in Cabra parish in Dublin by Ivan Payne, wrote to the Dublin archdiocese before Christmas saying he wished to leave the Church. He received notice of his “cessation of church membership by formal act of defection. . .” from church authorities last week.
One Comment
With respect to Mr Maddens decision to “leave” the church, who cares. Really, it is not a news worthy item. Why does such a decision have to be “paraded” in public as if his life and actions are of signifance to others. What happened to Mr Madden as a child was terrible, immoral and distructive, no question. However bad things have happened to me and I am sure others while growing up. But I and I am sure others pick ourselves up and get on with life, without need to live our lives and make our decisions in such a public and attention seeking way. Just a thought. J.