BishopAccountability.org
	Renewed Pressure on Magee to Resign By Jennifer Hough and Claire O'Sullivan Irish Examiner December 23, 2008 http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=ireland-qqqm=ireland-qqqa=ireland-qqqid=80653-qqqx=1.asp THE Bishop of Cloyne is under renewed pressure to step down after the Minister for Children expressed concern about Dr John Magee remaining in his position as patron of all national schools in his diocese. Barry Andrews also called on Bishop Magee to "reflect" on the findings of the damning report which found he mishandled child abuse allegations and subsequently put children at risk. On a day when the Church's hierarchy was accused of "closing ranks" following the abuse allegations, Mr Andrews increased the pressure on Dr Magee to resign or be sacked. He said while the issue of calling for the bishop to resign was not one for him, but for the pope, he said the findings of the National Board for Safeguarding Children report were "very worrying". Mr Andrews said he was concerned "that the bishop remained as the patron of all national schools in his diocese", but said his department "had a role in that regard". Both Cardinal Sean Brady, the Primate of All Ireland, and Papal Nuncio the Most Reverend Dr Giuseppe Leanza, have remained silent following the publication of Friday's report, refusing to either support or condemn Bishop Magee. Senior cabinet ministers have also been accused of "lacking the moral courage" to call for the bishop to go. Finance Minister Brian Lenihan refused to call for a resignation during a visit to Cork yesterday, claiming he had not been briefed on the report. Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he had the utmost confidence in Mr Andrews's handling of the affair, despite having the Cloyne report for five months. "Well, that report was a separately commissioned report. The Minister for Children is, of course, presently examining the one that has been prepared by the HSE and others in the context of the work that he's doing. He obviously has to examine that in respect of the legal advice issues, etc, that arise under it," said Mr Cowen. "But I can assure you Minister Andrews is a capable minister who's very anxious to ensure that all facts are provided for and we learn the lessons of the past. That is the quintessence of what accountability is about, and Minister Barry Andrews is a person in whom I have the utmost confidence." Fergus Finlay, head of children's charity Barnardos, said while it was expected the Church would close ranks on such matters, it was disgraceful that no one in the Government had the moral courage to call for the bishop's resignation. Maeve Lewis, chief executive of One in Four, a charity which provides support and resources to people who have experienced sexual abuse, said it was now clear the Church could not be trusted to enforce child protection procedures and called for an independent audit into all dioceses. She said it was possible another similar scandal was waiting to break. Ms Lewis said the Church had a pastoral responsibility to respond to the victims of abuse, and it was "disappointing'" that Cardinal Brady would not comment. One in Four has joined opposition politicians, victims of the alleged abuse in Cloyne and the lay religious organisation, Voice of the Faithful, in calling for Bishop Magee to step down. The bishop yesterday again refused to quit, emphasising the allegations in the report were not proven and claiming he is implementing all of the recommendations. A spokesman for Cardinal Brady said the cardinal "could not be contacted" as he is busy with diocesan visits. A spokesperson for the Papal Nuncio, the Most Reverend Dr Giuseppe Leanza, refused to be drawn into the controversy, simply referring to an address made by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 to the bishops of Ireland. The father of a 14-year-old girl who claims she was raped by Father B over a three-year period said he could not believe the diocese was continuing to suppress the alleged events. "Even the dogs in the street know who the perpetrator is anyway, so why they are trying to suppress I don't know." He said he was disgusted by the refusal of the bishop to address the claims properly. "Molesting a child, an innocent body, is a mind that is affected forever more and I know about this firsthand." He said he would not agree with the bishop resigning. "That is too easy. He should be made to account and then be kicked out."
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