“Corruption in Irish political life was both endemic and systemic” so says the Mahon Tribunal’s report published this week. What this means is not that corruption was marginal but that it WAS the Irish political system.

The lion’s share of the disgrace exposed by the report goes to the party who led the country and supremely to the “bould Bertie” who orchestrated it over many years.

In a largely godless society where sanctions for wrongdoing have been nullified so that they do not apply to those in authority there is little incentive for those with the power to do what is right.

The genius of the democratic system depends on those in office being dismissed at the next election thus preventing them from perfecting corruption! It falls down when they get repeatedly re-elected by an electorate which appreciates the benefits of having politicians in power who break the rules for them. Eventually the contamination spreads till those who would wish to act aright are implicated and their honesty erodes away. Sadly the threat of loss of promotion or loss of job encourages the conscience to become elastic and practices are permitted as moral backbone crumbles.

There were rare occasions when corruption cracked open and a basically honest person was revealed. This was movingly portrayed during the Tribunal when the Taoiseach’s secretary was reminded that what she was saying was under oath. The pressure of sustaining lies proved too much for her and she blurted out in tears that she only wanted to get home to her children.

However the norm was to brazen it out and trust there wouldn’t be another Dunlop to give the show away! There wasn’t but Mahon painstakingly documented every lie for posterity.

What has the Bible to say to this?

Proverbs says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Chapter 1 verse 7. The reason for the fear is the coming judgement which will be for all of us. In recognition of this the Psalmist says, “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared”. (Psalm 130 verses 3/4)

There is a recognition that God could justly withhold that forgiveness which for those of faith is a strong incentive to do right. But for those whose faith is in Jesus and not in their ability to do right forgiveness flows from trusting in His sin-bearing work on the cross. The Apostle John writes, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. (1 John 1:9)

Those who have been hauled before an earthly tribunal should remember along with the rest of us that it’s not the only tribunal they and we will have to face. Its findings will have eternal implications.

Trust in the work of Jesus and submit to Him the control of your life.