THERE is a mixture of sadness and shock at revelations about paedophile priest Father Brendan Smyth and the disclosures concerning former Taoiseach Mr Charles Haughey in the week's local papers.
The most surprising feature of the coverage of the Brendan Smyth story is that few clerical columnists, who write for almost all the local papers, address the fallout for the church. It is left to the editorial writers to reflect the shock of the wider community.
In the Wexford People, an editorial says that "innocent children must be protected" and that "everyone in any position of responsibility must now try to ensure that sufficient safeguards are put in place to prevent anyone else abusing positions of trust". A councillor is recorded in the Tullamore Tribune as saying there were no "paedophiles on the streets 40 years ago". His comments are prompted by the issue of children's transport to school in Edenderry. Councillors believe there may be dangers from child abusers in children having to walk several miles to catch the school bus. They are to write to the Minister for Education for an improvement in the service.
In the Kerryman an editorial is devoted to "the harrowing story of abuse" by Father Smyth. The writer says the details of the case "do not mean that religion is destined to become a thing of the past in Ireland".
The author says too often the clergy measure their actions solely on how they affect the church, not on society generally.
The end result of the recent events is that "young people will be much less automatic about the practice of their faith than previous generations," he adds.
Back in the Tullamore Tribune there is a report about the ordination of new priests in Birr by the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh. Dr Walsh is recorded as saying to the priests that they come into the church "at a time when priesthood is not easy". He says priests will continue to be "reminded of their failures", but he hopes "today's weaknesses will grow to be tomorrow's strengths".
In the Corkman, Monsignor Denis O'Callaghan, whose comment piece occupies most of the editorial page, does not address the Smyth case. He writes instead about the forthcoming Seanad elections, making an enthusiastic call of support for William Binchy, the pro-life campaigner and Trinity law lecturer.
He says if Mr Binchy gets elected the public may finally appreciate "his sense of humour and boyish quality of wonder". He also mentions Mr Binchy's qualities as the "ideal teacher", which includes "homework" always being done on time and strong delivery from the lectern.
The current social status of the former Taoiseach, Mr Haughey, is addressed in most of the papers. While the Western People reports that Mr Haughey is being invited to the Mayo Person of the Year awards, the Kerryman alleges there is no record of Mr Haughey receiving planning permission for the pool on his island, Inishvickillane.
The comment pages of the papers also deal with the issue. In the West- ern People's column, "Plain Chant", the "fall from grace" of Mr Haughey is discussed. The writer notes Mr Haughey's associations with Mayo - he was born in Castlebar and was involved in getting Knock airport built. He wonders, however, how the McCracken report may damage the former Fianna Fail leader in the county.
In the same paper Father Brendan Hoban trenchantly criticises the "political cowboys who have the gall to break the rules that the State expects the rest of us to keep". Father Hoban concludes his article by saying he thanks God that "Bertie didn't get his outright majority".
In Wexford preparations for next year's 1798 commemorations continue.
The New Ross People includes an appeal from a man for people to join a troupe of pikemen he has established. The pikemen will be "a readymade army", continually on standby to perform at any public function connected with the 1798 bicentenary celebrations.
The paper tells us the Wexford pike consists of one hook and no axe and is, of course, "made locally".
Under an intriguing headline in the Nenagh Guardian, "Algae in water - the public's right to know", Gerry Slevin discusses the recent problems with drinking water in the town. According to Slevin, Nenagh District Council is not giving the full facts to local people about their drinking water.
The lead story, by the same journalist, says the acting town clerk had admitted the water "isn't pleasant" because of large amounts of algae. In the Argus of Louth, the recent death of six people in a horrific crash at Killineer, north of Drogheda, is given extensive coverage. The paper expresses anger over the carnage and points out "that, stretching back 18 years, Co Louth and north Louth in particular, has suffered several accidents, resulting in 55 deaths, many of them relatively young people".
Reporter Niall Moonan was at the crash scene and reports on the "utter carnage as rescuers battled to free the six crash victims". According to the report, "the accident even shocked some of the most hardened gardai, ambulance personnel and firemen". The paper's editor says: "We all must do our part in slowing down traffic."