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	Bishop Boyce Would Welcome Abuse Report By Catherine Cook Donegal News November 30, 2009 http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/dn/free/296007602150777.php THE Bishop of Raphoe has apologised to the victims and families of child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Raphoe. On Friday, Bishop Philip Boyce issued a statement following the publication of the report of the Commission of Investigation into the Archdiocese of Dublin. He added that he would welcome an investigation in the Raphoe Diocese similar to that carried out in Dublin. In the report, Fr Patrick Maguire was named as a serial sexual abuser and it has been confirmed by the Bishop that he served in the Diocese of Raphoe between 1974 and 1975. He was then moved to the Dublin Archdiocese where he continued his sexual abuse of children. The Murphy Report found that hundreds of cases of abuse were covered up by the Dublin Archdiocese and other church and state authorities. The report details a litany of rape and attacks on children by priests in the Dublin Diocese from 1975 to 2004. It revealed the systematic way that abuse was facilitated and covered up by the Archdiocese of Dublin and other church authorities. In June 1998 Fr Maguire, a Columban Priest, was jailed for 18 months in London after he was found guilty on a number of counts of child sexual abuse. The Murphy report accuses religious orders of knowing about abuse, and says the Columban Order had "clear knowledge of complaints against one of their members, Fr Patrick Maguire". Speaking at the weekend, Bishop Boyce described the report as "shameful, horrific and beggars belief, it is hard to say anything else about it." He added that the situation was made even harder to accept given that these crimes were perpetrated by men who were "supposed to be leading people to God". "It is awful that people would stoop down and do something so low." Commenting on Fr Maguire, the Bishop stated: "Fr Patrick Maguire was here before my time and before Bishop Hegarty's time. He came to Letterkenny in September 1974 and served here for one year and a few months. He did great damage before and after he served here, all of which was unknown to the bishop of the time. Bishop McFeeley had needed help and he asked the Missionary congregation. As soon as he became aware of Fr Maguire's activities he was sent back to the Missionary Society." The Bishop confirmed that Fr Maguire is currently living in a house belonging to the Congregation in Meath where he is "monitored very carefully". He also confirmed that there are no priests currently under investigation in the Diocese of Raphoe but said he would welcome an investigation similar to the carried out in the Dublin Archdiocese, saying: "I would welcome anything at all that would help to further this cause." He concluded: "This is really a test of faith and commitment. This should not happen especially by a priest who people respect so much. We are doing our utmost to protect children to ensure that such a thing will not happen again." In his statement the Bishop of Raphoe Rev Dr Philip Boyce said he was "shocked and disturbed" by the revelations in the report but stressed that the Diocese of Raphoe has "taken the duty of safeguarding children very seriously". His statement read: "The report published following the investigation of the handling of cases of child sexual abuse by members of the clergy in the Archdiocese of Dublin has shocked and disturbed me. It lays bare the immense betrayal of sacred trust and duty on the part of priests. It is horrific to think that an innocent child could be sexually abused by any adult, let alone by a priest." The Bishop continued: "No one can fully understand the lasting effects of child sexual abuse except the victims themselves. If it should have happened to someone closely related to us, it would provoke us to deep anger. "Each child should be cherished and affirmed as a gift from God" (Standards and Guidance Document, p.14). To violate the open trust and the bodily integrity of a child is a deplorable crime." Commenting on Fr Maguire, Bishop Boyce said: "One of the missionary priests who served in the Archdiocese of Dublin and who is mentioned in the Report, Fr Maguire, also served in our Diocese for a year between 1974 and 1975. I am deeply upset at the fact that while on loan to us he perpetrated heinous crimes of this nature in our area. This fact was already reported on local radio and in newspapers at the time of his conviction. To the victims and their families who suffered so much I apologise again and express my heartfelt sympathy and regret. The Diocese of Raphoe has taken the duty of safeguarding children very seriously. I personally have worked assiduously at the task since I was appointed Bishop fourteen years ago. All allegations are reported to the gardai and the HSE with whom we closely co-operate. Children are our most treasured possession. "On them depends the future of society and the Church of tomorrow. Our Diocesan Child Protection Committee has members trained in safeguarding children. Two trainers also identify and train parish representatives who promote the development and implementation of best practice at parish level. It is aimed at making our parishes safe environments where children are safe and can grow up into healthy citizens of society. For any reports of child sexual abuse or concerns of child protection, please contact: Against priests - V. Rev. Kieran McAteer, PP, Donegal Road, Ballybofey - Phone; 074 91 31135: Against Church lay personnel - Georgina O'Brien, Corgarry, Ballybofey - Phone; 074 91 32965. Faoiseamh Confidential Helpline - Freefone 1800 33 1234 (or from Northern Ireland and the UK - 0800 973 272). The Judge who chaired the Commission of Investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic Clergy in the Archdiocese of Dublin is Donegal born Judge Yvonne Murphy. She is married to Supreme Court Judge Adrian Hardiman and they have three sons. Prior to her appointment as a Circuit Court judge she worked as a barrister in Letterkenny, Buncrana and Donegal Town Circuit Courts.
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