There is an emergence of a maturity in Ireland with regard to upholding the dignity of person.  This development was very evident in the reaction to the recent newspaper photograph of one of the Irish bishops bowing to kiss the ring of the Pope.  What hope is there for change in the Church when its present leader would even allow such a bending of the knee?  Does the Pope somehow feel that he is superior, not only to the cardinals, bishops, other clergy, laity and to all the children who were spiritually, emotionally, physically and sexually violated by members of his ‘flock’?  What is the nature of the blindness that is perpetuating such blatant inequality?  Each human being is individual, precious, sacred and an unrepeatable happening in this universe and it is for each of us – no matter what our status is – to be in awe of our own presence and the unique presence of every other person.  I have no doubt that the man Christ would be absolutely horrified at the Pope’s behaviour and also at those who actually choose to bend the knee.  The intention here is not to criticise the Pope – he too is worthy of our unconditional love; no, the aim is to assert the dignity and worth of each individual and challenge behaviour that darkens that sacred response.  The Pope may argue that on Holy Thursday evening he washes the feet of twelve lay people, but showing such Christian humility and devotion one day in the year is not even remotely enough.  But why am I surprised?  After all the Pope still supports a male-dominated hierarchy and continues to marginalise women.  Women are still not seen as worthy vicars of Christ.  Christ’s message was gender free: all persons – male or female – who ‘love God with all their heart and their neighbour as their self’ are worthy vicars.   And so if women are still second-class citizens in the eyes of the Pope and the cardinals, why is it that we are dismayed by the lack of empathy in the Pope’s response to all those who have been victims of clerical abuse under his and his predecessors’ stewardship.

There was a great sense of national expectation nine months ago when George Lee opted to leave journalism and join the political scene. The overwhelming by-election victory for Fine Gael was testament to people’s hopes for a radically different injection into what has largely been a Fianna Fail political shambles. The resignation of George Lee last week not only bitterly disappointed the 28,000 people who voted for him but it has also burst the balloon of the vast majority of people – with the exception of Fianna Fail supporters! Ethical professional practice is about seeing beyond ourselves and it would appear that George Lee did not see beyond his own ambitions when he decided to step down from politics and return to the limelight of journalism. The people who voted for him are legitimately complaining that nine months in waiting was not an adequate demonstration of commitment. However, what is emerging is that when you are used to the spotlight being shone on you, being in the shadows of the political backbenches wears thin very fast. George does claim that a front bench place was not the issue, but there is a note of ‘I think he protests too much’ in that assertion. Furthermore, if you are waiting around for others to bow to you and tell you ‘you are brilliant’, you can become quickly disillusioned. A person who is mature is comfortable and remains confident whether he is occupying a pedestal position or at the foot of the pedestal. Individuals who have become addicted to celebrity status reveal a deep personal vulnerability and unless this is resolved, they are not in a mature place to see the wood from the trees and their own self from their achievements.

When a child or teenager goes on the rampage in response to a ‘no’ from a parent, what is the parent to do? Certainly, a clip around the ear would only be fighting fire with fire and does not model for the young person a mature way of managing a conflict situation. The immediate response to a child who is attempting to gain control through destructive or terrorising behaviour is, in a way that is physically safe for the parent, to hold the child in a firm and non-threatening way, thereby preventing the child from continuing the intimidatory behaviour. When it is a teenager, the parent needs to keep a safe distance, maintain strong eye-contact and request firmly that (s)he immediately desists from the threatening behaviour. If the teenager continues rampaging, then within the young person’s earshot, the parent needs to ring the police and request immediate help. This latter response is both a kindness to self and to the son or daughter.