BishopAccountability.org
 
  Father of Abused Girl Tells of 'Horror and Disgust'

By Caitrina Cody
Irish Independent
December 23, 2008

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/father-of-abused-girl-tells-of-horror--and-disgust-1583590.html

A DISTRAUGHT Cloyne father yesterday spoke about his disgust at the treatment his daughter's sexual abuse complaint received at the hands of Bishop John Magee.

"I feel such horror and disgust about the whole thing," said the man, who remains anonymous to protect his child's identity.

The Cork man's daughter was 14 when a trusted Cloyne priest began to abuse her.

"She was very innocent, even for her age," he said. He added that the priest, known only as Father B, was idolised by the family. "We all looked forward to going to Mass to hear his homilies, because they were both entertaining and sincere."

The abuse started, he said, when his daughter began to meet the clergyman at his house to discuss her career prospects.

"He began to ply her with glasses of wine until she became uncomfortable. Then he began to grope her until it spiralled into full-blown sex."

Speaking on radio, the man revealed that he and his wife made the horrific discovery when his daughter was away.

"My wife was cleaning her room and she found a note that indicated that our daughter's relationship with Father B was not a healthy one. Unfortunately, she was so shocked that she burnt the letter."

The father described his fruitless efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice. "We went to see Bishop Magee and I told him that my daughter had been abused by one of his clergy.

"I couldn't believe that they would continue to try to keep the information under wraps."

"Molesting an innocent child is molesting a mind that will be affected forever," he added.

"Resignation would be an easy way out for [Bishop Magee]. I think he should be made to account for his actions and then kicked out."

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.