IRELAND
The Kerryman
THE publication last week of the Ferns report shamed me as a man, a priest and as Bishop. There are no excuses. I am not going to offer any.
This should not have happened. Shame, disgust, pain, neglect and shock are all words that come to mind when I think of what took place.
The historical dealing with such abuse cases we now know was inexcusable in the extreme. We in the Church and indeed in the wider society who were placed in positions of power and trust, all failed in our primary duty to protect children. We must live with this shame and one day be answerable to God. Today, however, we must be answerable to the children, the State and to you.