Smyth’s ‘The land of the pirates - clerical culture and sexual abuse’ (Smyth, 2009) discusses the structure and culture of the Catholic Church, which, Smyth believes, has led to the proliferation and protection of ‘paedophile priests’ (Smyth, 2009) within its institution. Smyth likens the institutionalised Church to a ‘land of pirates’ which we ‘have a duty to visit’ if we are to understand the ‘climate that raises pirates’ (Smyth, 2009). In making this assertion Smyth suggests that the culture of the clergy and its hierarchy must be examined to understand the factors that have fostered opportunities for abusive priests to operate unchecked, unhindered and unpunished. Smyth’s examination of the Church indicates his three main concerns; The
