George Pell’s conviction shows how ignorant the Catholic Church is to its child abuse problem

Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

To describe the results of the Catholic Church’s first global summit on clerical child abuse as disappointing would be an understatement of truly sublime dimensions.

It should, at the very least, have produced a universal law enforcing zero tolerance and dismissal from the clerical state of priest abusers and the bishops who protect them.

The Pope’s reliance on a bunch of bishops means he doesn’t understand the problem. Such men aren’t capable to solving it – if they were, they’d have done so long ago.

What was needed was a council of lay leaders as well as male and female experts in the field. They’d have produced a rigorous, specific plan not more “tired rhetoric”.

Any accusation of abuse should be immediately reported to law enforcement, the priest suspended and, if found guilty in criminal court, he’s out of the ministry sine die.

Rev Dr John Cameron
St Andrews

The idea that there is any question remaining over whether the Australian cardinal George Pell should resign is beyond bizarre.

Maybe it is a waste of energy trying to persuade the Catholic Church to mend its ways.

Globally, it has been openly aware of the violent sexual destruction of generations of children at the hands of its brethren. At every level, in full view and for decades, the church refused to really and truly deal with these monsters.

Might I suggest that from now, paedophiles should be referred to, in slang, as “cardinals”. This would, I feel, show the absolute contempt for the church’s attitude, which decent people feel.

Amanda Baker
Edinburgh

We haven’t yet had our Final Say

The 2016 referendum was corrupt. Why do politicians and the media think it’s okay to say that we had our final say already?

A stronger government would simply overturn the 2016 outcome.

This does typify what has been wrong with the whole process – lies and fudge.

It’s good that Jeremy Corbyn is now on board and people can begin to address the injustices and lies that led us to this situation from a stronger position.

The damage has already been severe. It must not be allowed to become catastrophic.

Michael Cunliffe
Ilkley

We’re better off just leaving

It’s laughable how the scaremongers are at it again with warnings on food price rises or shortages.

The EU made up its mind to punish the UK for having a democratic referendum. How many other EU countries can say their politicians would allow them to have one?

Hopefully a hard Brexit will mean we start growing more of our own food and increase manufacturing of goods in the UK.

Then we should stop all payments to the EU immediately, reduce VAT as we no longer need to pay a levy to the EU. Reduce tax on red diesel, we will have a few extra billions to spend on our own needs and we can trade with the rest of the bigger world.

T Sayer
Bristol

A man for the moment

I have noticed reports that Nigel Farage has said that he will take a “well deserved” vacation, should a second referendum be held.

After the shock subsided, I thought it best to write in and suggest the ideal person to take over at the helm of anti-EU campaigning.

His credentials are impressive: eloquent, broad-minded, erudite, visionary, pragmatic; yes, all of these plus much more, none other than – Alan Partridge!

Robert Boston
Kingshill

Put it to the people – no matter where they are

I would dearly love to be at the People’s Vote march on 23 March, but I will be in Sydney, Australia. I was on the last march and it was an incredible expression of the will of the people.

Why not make 23 March a global expression of the people’s feelings? All British people abroad who can’t be in London should stand outside the British consulate, high commission or embassy at noon, collect signatures and hand the petition to the British representative on the day. It is therefore possible that the message will get through to No 10 that Brexit will be a worldwide disaster for Britain.

Steve Murphy
Hailsham