Actor Gabriel Byrne

Actor Gabriel Byrne was guest on the Dunphy Show on RTE Radio 1 this morning. He is an engaging person. Born in Dublin. Left school early and later went back and won a university scholarship. Today he is one of the world's finest actors.

At 11 he joined a junior seminary in England where he experienced a mild form of abuse. I doubt if abuse can ever be mild, but it's what he said.

Years later he went back to talk to the perpetrator not knowing exactly what to say to him.
The man said he did not know him and the only Gabriel Byrne he knew was the world famous actor!

Gabriel made the point that this man, who gave him a great love for Latin, was still the same man in tone and manner. He created some sort of fear and there was still a condescension about him.

The terror and abuse had all been done in secrecy and fear.

One of the reasons for the creation of this blog was an attempt to kick to death an atmosphere and tone of secrecy and anonymity that very often raises its ugly head, especially in church organisations.

And along with this tone goes an atmosphere of fear, where people are 'afraid' to speak their minds. In that context can flow 'pious platitudes' that have no meaning whatsoever.

Strangely, there are few leaders who are willing to grab the nettle and speak any sort of prophetic words. Instead we continue to get the same old 'stuff', now doctored by the lawyers and spin people.

Gabriel Byrne's interview can be heard on RTE podcast.