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	Bishop Magee Admits "Errors" on Handling of Abuse Claims By Michelle McÂonagh and Marie Ohalloran The Irish Times December 27, 2008 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/1227/1229728560952.html BISHOP OF Cloyne Dr John Magee has signalled he will not be resigning although he says he takes full responsibility for the "errors" made in relation to the management of child sexual abuse claims in his diocese. Speaking at Christmas Eve midnight Mass in Cobh Cathedral, he again apologised to all victims of clerical sexual abuse and particularly to those who were abused by priests in the Cloyne diocese. He said he was determined to ensure that such abuse was unlikely to recur in the diocese. He also said he would report to the people of the diocese early in the new year on the implementation of changes. But Cork East Labour TD Sean Sherlock, who has called for the bishop's resignation, asked: "If he has apologised, does that imply some guilt on their part and does that mean that justice will prevail and the victims of abuse will get redress?" Mr Sherlock urged Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews to take action on the contents of the report on the management of two child protection cases in the Cloyne diocese. He asked: "Has the Minister had discussion with the gardai arising from the contents of the report?" A spokesman for the Minister said last night he had not spoken to the gardai as there was a failure to report to the HSE, rather than the gardai. Mr Andrews is seeking legal advice on a report relating to child protection practices which will be brought to the Cabinet on January 7th and published. He will bring forward recommendations to that meeting. The spokesman said Mr Andrews' comments had not changed on Bishop Magee's position. He had called on him to "reflect on his position". Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin has called on Bishop Magee to issue a comprehensive and statement on the mishandling of child sex abuse claims in the diocese. Bishop Magee has faced mounting criticism of his handling of the cases of alleged abuse by priests, but when asked if the bishop intended to resign in light of his Christmas message taking full responsibility for the mismanagement of the abuse cases, his spokesman said "everything that we have to say is in that statement", referring to his statement issued a week ago, in which he makes no reference to resigning. In his Christmas address, Dr Magee said: "I again want to sincerely apologise to all victims of clerical sexual abuse and particularly to those who were abused by priests in the diocese. For a priest to abuse a child is a massive breach of trust and I am determined to ensure that it is extremely unlikely that this will happen again in this diocese."
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