By Jennifer Hough
Irish Examiner
January 2, 2009
http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=ireland-qqqm=ireland-qqqa=ireland- qqqid=81128-qqqx=1.asp
THE head of the Catholic Church in Ireland has broken his silence on the mishandling of allegations of child sex abuse in the Diocese of Cloyne saying he realises people feel "let down, angry and bewildered".
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Cardinal Seán Brady last night said the report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC), which found the Cork diocese had failed to focus on the needs of vulnerable children, had brought further anxiety to victims of abuse.
He said it brought into question the efforts of thousands of volunteers and personnel working to implement statutory guidelines and Church policies on safeguarding children throughout Ireland.
The statement from the Primate of All-Ireland puts yet more pressure on beleaguered Bishop John Magee, who was at the helm when the alleged abuses took place, to step down.
Despite calls for the bishop — accused of grossly mishandling the investigation of the abuses — to quit, he has refused to consider resigning over the matter.
In his statement, Cardinal Brady threw his full support behind the NBSC, whose damning report was not published until five months after the Government received it, and only then as a result of sustained pressure from child abuse campaigners, the media and Cork TD Seán Sherlock.
But the cardinal did signal work needed to be done to rebuild people's trust in the handling of affairs.
Cardinal Brady said he had suggested to the board that it explore the possibility of conducting a review of child-safeguarding practice in every diocese across the island in co-operation with the relevant statutory authorities.
He further suggested that it prioritise the publication of its first annual report.
"This will provide the first public overview and assessment of the standard of implementation of statutory guidelines on reporting and on a one-church policy throughout the church in Ireland," he said.
Cardinal Brady also said he had been in contact with the chair and head of the NBSC: "I can confirm the board will seek a written commitment from every bishop, every religious congregation and missionary society to implement all statutory guidelines, the agreed policy of the Bishops' Conference, the Irish Missionary Union and the Conference of Religious of Ireland."
The cardinal gave a personal assurance he would immediately sign any such commitment on behalf of the Archdiocese of Armagh.
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