IRELAND
Zenit
TUAM, Ireland, OCT. 30, 2005 (Zenit.org).- A report revealing decades of sexual abuse by 21 priests in the Diocese of Ferns sent shock waves through the Church in Ireland last week.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam today explained his decision to ask a priest to stand aside from his ministry pending the outcome of investigations.
"I first became aware in late summer, through the Gardai [police], that a priest of the diocese was subject to an allegation of criminal misconduct towards an adult and that it was under investigation," the archbishop said during his homily in the cathedral.
"Following consultation with various sources, including the Garda Siochana," he said, "I was satisfied that a public safety issue had not been shown to exist. Therefore I did not request the priest to stand aside.