From across the pond, a report about a move many have been clamoring for:

The Vatican will force the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, to quit if he refuses to resign over the growing child abuse scandal.

Sources in Rome signalled that nothing less than Dr Brady’s resignation will diminish fury at the highest levels in Rome over his role in paedophile priest cover-ups.

Dr Brady apologised last week for his role in a Catholic Church tribunal on allegations made by a 14-year-old boy against Brendan Smyth, the priest whose case brought down the Government in 1994.

The victim was sworn to secrecy after the proceedings. Sources said that Pope Benedict was considering diverting attacks on his handling of paedophile cases in Germany and France by taking strong action in Ireland.

The sources added that the Pope was considering the option of seeking Cardinal Brady’s resignation to prove to his critics that he was now fully determined to tackle the worldwide abuse crisis.

Cardinal Brady has already stated he will not resign unless asked to do so by the Pope — and he has pleaded for time to consider his position until May 23. But church sources in Ireland and Rome said last night that events surrounding the abuse scandals were happening so quickly that Cardinal Brady himself may decide to step down, possibly during Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday tomorrow. Further difficulties for Cardinal Brady emerged yesterday when he was called on to withdraw his defence in a legal battle with a man who claims he was abused by paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth.

The cardinal said he wanted to work towards a just resolution in a court case being taken against him by the alleged victim of clerical abuse.

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