by Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent
NO CRIMINAL convictions have been secured against
any of the 23 priests in the Derry Diocese against
whom allegations of child sexual abuse have been
made since 1975.
The details are contained in the review conducted by
the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the
Catholic Church (NBSCCC) into the Derry Diocese,
which was published yesterday.
Monsignor Eamonn Martin, who was last week elected
Administrator of the Diocese following the
resignation of Bishop Seamus Hegarty, said he was
sorry for the hurt caused and is ashamed at how
victims were treated.
He said that the Church has been disgraced by
putting the avoidance of scandal ahead of the
welfare of children.
The report said that priests about whom concerns
were expressed were not robustly challenged or
managed, and were often ‘handled’ by moving them to
postings elsewhere. It added that evidence exists
that these priests continued to engage in abusive
behaviour after they were moved.
The review said that Inishowen’s geographic
isolation from the rest of the diocese meant it was
somewhat removed from the exchange of information.
It also noted that vetting procedures in Inishowen
is slower and more difficult than in the rest of the
diocese.
Between January 1, 1975 and August 31, 2011
allegations were made to the Garda or police against
23 different priests. Sixteen of those priests are
now dead. Of the remaining seven against whom
allegations were made, four have since left the
priesthood while three are either in ministry or
retired.
The review dealt only with priests of the Derry
Diocese. One non-diocesan priest currently resides
in the diocese against whom an allegation has been
made.
No priest is named in the review.
Although it was invited to take part in the review,
the HSE declined to take part.
The report is dated August 2011, prior to Bishop
Hegarty’s resignation on health grounds, and was
published yesterday in conjunction with audits
carried out in five other dioceses including Raphoe.
The NBSCCC said that they received a sincere welcome
and real attitude of openness from Bishop Hegarty
and his staff, adding that past mistakes and
oversights were readily acknowledged.
However, the review said that the diocese faces a
challenge in gaining full commitment from all
priests to fully subscribe to its ‘Safeguarding
Children Policy and Procedures’ that was published
in November 2010.
At least two priests were reported not to be fully
behind the policy, which obliges clergy, staff and
volunteers to uphold the highest standards of
safeguarding in order to prevent harm to children.
The report authors write: “In 2011 it should not be
tolerated that any priest of Derry Diocese can
remain ambivalent towards and non-supportive of the
diocesan policy.” It recommends that the reported
attitude and behaviour of the two priests be
addressed as a matter of urgency. |
