UTV
May 24, 2009
http://u.tv/News/Bishop-issues-public-apology-to-clerical-abuse-victims/a6418505-e56d-41bb-87ea-d8bba61fce38
The Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor has publicly apologised on behalf of the church to all victims of clerical abuse.
The move follows the release of the Ryan Commission report, which found that beatings and humiliation by nuns and priests were common at institutions that held up to 30,000 children.
Noel Treanor was speaking at mass at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Carryduff on Sunday afternoon. In his homily he described the contents of the report as "horrific and heart breaking, criminal and sinful".
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The Bishop said that criminal charges should be brought against the abusers and that the issue of compensation should be revisited.
He also said that he would support an inquiry into abuse allegations in Northern Ireland: "I have heard about the calls and personally I am of the opinion that if such a request is made then it should be pursued.
"All institutions in the north of Ireland which have had care of children and vulnerable adults should be the object of such an inquiry without exception."
It comes as a senior aide to Cardinal Sean Brady insisted that religious orders must pay more compensation to the victims of abuse in their institutions.
Opposition political leaders have called for a renegotiation of the compensation deal which meant the Catholic religious orders were liable for only 10% of the estimated 1.2 bn euro (£1bn) final compensation bill.
Fr Timothy Bartlett, who is Cardinal Brady's personal assistant, said on Sunday: "I believe personally there is no question but that the agreement must be looked at again."
The influential cleric added: "In my personal view, they need to pay more."
Thousands of members of the public have signed a 'book of solidarity' for victims of the abuse in Dublin's Mansion House.
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