IRELAND
Kilkenny Today
Bishop Laurence Forristal plans to defrock a paedophile priest who lives in Kilkenny and was the subject of the largest single child abuse investigation in the history of the State.
The diocese has disclosed that it is not supporting the convicted child abuser financially and has made settlements with the shamed cleric's victims. Other cases are pending.
The man was found guilty on a number of counts of sexual abuse and served six years of a nine year sentence.
Diocesan spokesman Fr Dan Carroll told the Kilkenny People that the former parish priest will shortly be stripped of all ecclesiastic status.
"The Vatican has been informed and we hope that the process will be expedited as quickly as possible," Fr Carroll said.
"We recognise the victims' grevious hurt and we will do everything in our power to help them. Hopefully this move might bring some closure to some of his victims."