February 26, 2005

Diocese to abolish abuse levy

NORTHERN IRELAND
U.TV

A Catholic diocese in Northern Ireland is to scrap a controversial levy in support of a fund for clerical sex abuse victims, it has emerged.

Bishop Seamus Hegarty caused outrage over his decision to charge parishioners without many of them knowing.

A three per cent levy had been put on parishes in the diocese of Derry as part of the church`s arrangement to pay for any cases.

Even though Dr Hegarty expressed his sincere regret over the affair, the controversy has raged all week.

Priests held an emergency meeting yesterday without the bishop being invited in a bid to resolve the issue.

Posted by kshaw at February 26, 2005 02:00 PM