IRELAND
IOL
30/10/2005 - 17:35:36
There have been allegations of child sexual abuse made against 19 priests in the Catholic Archdiocese of Tuam, it was revealed today.
Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary confirmed allegations have been made against 19 priests, of whom six are now deceased, with the earliest allegation dating back to 1940.
Days after the shocking Ferns Inquiry into clerical child sex abuse was released, Archbishop Neary said no priest was currently in ministry who is the subject of an investigation involving child sexual abuse or about whom there has been reasonable suspicion it may have occurred.
“In keeping with my record as Archbishop, and as an expression of my determination to protect children, I welcome, without hesitation, the suggested State audit into the Church’s handling of complaints of this nature,” he said, in his homily at the Cathedral in Tuam.