October 26, 2005

Church condemned over abuse scandals

IRELAND
EuroNews

Ireland's Catholic Church has come under fire in a new government report, which says it covered up decades of sexual abuse of young people by priests.

The report details the church's handling of around 100 abuse allegations against 21 priests in the southeast diocese of Ferns in County Wexford.

The inquiry was set up in 2002, after the resignation of the Bishop of Ferns, Brendan Comiskey, who had been aware of the activities of an abusive priest but failed to act.

One of the most notorious offenders was Father Sean Fortune, who killed himself before he could face trial on charges of indecently assaulting young boys.

Ireland's Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan, said the inquiry showed a clearfailure on the part of the church to protect the vulnerable.

Posted by kshaw at October 26, 2005 09:00 AM