Church scrutiny

David Borrowman (Letters, 3 April) echoed my thoughts exactly regarding John Haldane's recent article on the child sex abuse scandal surrounding the Catholic Church. Both Cardinal O'Brien and Professor Haldane referred to the small percentage of the priesthood who had perpetrated the abuse of children. This may be so, but the victims were many.

Then we have Billy Wright (Letters, 3 April) telling us that nothing in Pope Benedict's 2001 letter prevented the civil authorities from being informed: so, why were they not? Other paedophiles have been charged long after their victims have reached adulthood. But despite the numerous charges laid against him, Father Murphy, Mr Wright tells us, had not had any claims made against him for 20 years. Is this shameful excuse meant to mitigate the magnitude of his crimes?

The saying that for evil to exist all it needs is for good men to do nothing is particularly apposite here and, although I am not of the Catholic faith, I am deeply saddened by the apparent collusion and secretiveness of the Vatican hierarchy.

JOHN MURDOCH

Aldour Gardens, Pitlochry