IRELAND
Irish Independent
John Cooney
Religious Affairs Correspondent
PRIESTS accused of child sexual abuse or sexual misconduct are strongly advised to engage the services of a solicitor and seek advice from a canon lawyer.
This advice is offered to diocesan priests in a ground-breaking article in the current issue of the theological journal, 'The Furrow', that lifts the veil of secrecy on recent Catholic Church judicial procedures.
Titled 'Accused but innocent - what should a priest do?', the article spells out the rights of a diocesan priest in dealing with his bishop when first facing an accusation.
It is written by four priests and theologians working in the West of Ireland, Patrick Connolly, Eamonn Conway, Eugene Duffy and Enda Lyons.