IRELAND
Waterford Today
The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Most Rev. Dr. William Lee has apologised for the “damage done by a number of priests in the Diocese of Ferns who have sexually abused children.”
In a letter read out at all Masses throughout the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore on Saturday and Sunday last, he said that allegations of abuse were made against seven priests of the Diocese.
Bishop Lee’s letter read as follows:
“We have all been deeply saddened and hurt by the Ferns Report published on Tuesday last. It describes the enormous damage done by a number of priests in the diocese of Ferns who have sexually abused children.
I take the opportunity to outline the detail as it pertains to child sexual abuse allegations against priests in this diocese. I can confirm that allegations leading to “reasonable suspicion” that child sexual abuse may have occurred were made against 7 priests of the diocese. All have been reported to the civil authorities. Five are currently out of ministry, one is deceased and one is in limited ministry.