Abuse Row Bishop to Face New Enquiry, Irish Independent, January 8, 2009

Abuse Row Bishop to Face New Enquiry

Irish Independent
January 8, 2009

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/abuse-row-bishop-to-face-new-enquiry-1595298.html

THE Bishop of Cloyne failed to tell health authorities one of his priests was under investigation for abuse despite claiming he was fully compliant with child-protection guidelines.

The latest damning revelation emerged as the Government ordered a new probe into Dr John Magee's handling of abuse allegations in his diocese.

Despite this, the embattled bishop issued a defiant third statement last night insisting he would not resign. Sources close to Bishop Magee indicated he would not step down unless pressure was applied directly from Rome.

Under fire: Bishop John Magee

Bishop Magee vowed to cooperate fully with the new government- ordered probe into his diocese. But the 72-year-old Bishop's position now looks untenable after the Cabinet dramatically rejected the findings of a Health Service Executive (HSE) audit which controversially found no further action was warranted.

On top of mounting political pressure Bishop Magee is an increasingly isolated figure within the Catholic Church both at home and in the Vatican.

Children's Minister Barry Andrews last night stopped short of directly calling for the bishop's resignation.

However, he clearly identified Bishop Magee as the person responsible for the abuse scandal engulfing his diocese.

"I believe that there is evidence that points to the fact that Bishop Magee, as the responsible person, did not faithfully report actual compliance with child protection procedures and the manner in which clerical sexual abuse allegations have been dealt with," he said.

The new investigation was ordered as it emerged a raft of fresh abuse allegations from up to 10 people have been made in the Cloyne diocese in recent weeks.

It is understood the complaints have been made by adults who claim they were abused as children.

However, the Diocese of Cloyne last night denied knowledge of the latest complaints.

It also emerged yesterday that Bishop Magee told the HSE audit he had fully complied with children protection guidelines, while at the same time failing to mention that an allegation of abuse had been made against a priest in his diocese.

Despite this, the HSE report did not recommend any further action against the Diocese of Cloyne.

However, the latest damning revelation convinced the Government to ignore the HSE findings.

It instead ordered the Commission of Investigation into the Dublin Archdiocese to expand its terms of reference to include a fresh inquiry into the Diocese of Cloyne.

In a statement released through his diocesan office, Bishop Magee last night selectively highlighted how the HSE report confirmed his diocese had "engaged fully" with their investigation last year.

He said he had "noted" the decision of the Cabinet. The statement added: "Bishop Magee will give every possible co-operation to the commission in carrying out its task.

"The Diocese of Cloyne has also viewed the HSE report into the management of child sexual abuse issues in the diocese and we accept its findings."

One-in-Four director Maeve Lewis also repeated calls for the Bishop of Cloyne, Dr John Magee, to stand down over his handling of abuse scandals in his diocese.

"The bishop confirmed to the HSE that he was operating within agreed guidelines while at the same time failing to notify the HSE of a complaint of sexual abuse," she said.

The charity also said it was "disappointed" by the HSE audit and the lack of information provided to it by some bishops. It said any review was "meaningless" unless it encouraged victims to provide evidence.

One-in-Four, the ISPCC and Barnardos also called for mandatory reporting of clerical abuse allegations to be enshrined in law.

However, Opposition TDs last night accused Mr Andrews of failing to act on a previous report into abuse allegations within the Cloyne diocese for six months.

Complaints

The HSE audit, which is based on a questionnaire, includes detailed information on complaints and allegations of child sexual abuse against members of the clergy.

However, having obtained legal advice, it is understood more than 20 Irish bishops refused to provide the HSE with details of allegations of abuse against individual priests.

Yesterday's report confirms that part of the audit – Section 5 – was left out for this reason, and the bishops were only asked to complete the remainder of the questionnaire. Abuse victims last night welcomed the new government investigation – but criticised the HSE's handling of the report.

One said that it had taken too long, had not gone directly to victims for statements, adding some were even unaware the HSE audit was even taking place. "There is a lot more to be done but at least today was a start.

"There are still a lot of questions to be answered," the victim told the Irish Independent. The Catholic Primate of All- Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, last night welcomed the new investigation into the Cloyne abuse allegations.

"I am confident that the competence and independence of the National Board will play a key role in addressing the deficit of trust noted by the minister," he said.

Cardinal Brady's statement was fully endorsed by Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin.