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	Embattled Cleric Puts His Fate in the Hands of Local Faithful and Clergy By Barry Dugganand Aine de Paor Irish Independent November 30, 2009 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/embattled-cleric-puts-his-fate-in-the-hands-of-local-faithful-and-clergy-1958632.html THE under-pressure Bishop of Limerick yesterday put his fate in the hands of the people and priests of his diocese. The congregation at Dr Donal Murray's first Mass since publication of the Murphy report were told that they and the priests in his diocese would decide his future. Speaking at 10am Mass in St Joseph's Church in Limerick city, Dr Murray acknowledged that there had been calls for his resignation. "As far as I am concerned, the question of whether I should resign is a question of whether my presence here is a help or a hindrance to the diocese of Limerick," he said. "In that matter I will be guided by the priests and people of the diocese. We have many bodies that represent groups and areas in the diocese -- the Priests' Council, the Parish Pastoral Councils, the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Pastoral Areas of the diocese and the Diocesan Child Protection Committee. They guide me and advise me. And they will be guided and advised by you in your parishes and areas." The Murphy report found the bishop handled a number of complaints badly and described his failure to investigate one allegation as inexcusable. But Bishop Murray told Mass-goers: "If there are cases where the abuse of children might have been prevented had I acted differently, I offer to them my sincerest apology. I can honestly say that in the one such case that I can think of, my inability to get to the full truth was not the result of any lack of effort on my part, but a lack of skill and experience. "It is no consolation to the children who were abused that I was lacking in experience and I will remain eternally sorry and apologetic to anyone whose suffering I might have prevented," he said. The congregation applauded the bishop after his frank admissions of failure and acknowledgement that he would accept their guidance regarding his future. The bishop met with members of the congregation afterwards. Liam Ryan (42), from Raheen, said: "It was good that he came out and said Mass and addressed the people. Others in his situation would have hid, so I'll give him that. "He has admitted his failings and has asked us to decide his future and it will certainly be interesting to see how that pans out," Mr Ryan said. One elderly parishioner, who refused to give her name, said: "He is a good man and doesn't deserve this focus from all ye (the media) as he didn't abuse anyone and he has admitted that he came up short. "Are any of us perfect? It is an awful state of affairs for the Church, but the real victims are the children who were abused, and let us never forget that," she said. Mass-goers said they were glad to hear from the bishop, and many reported feeling reassured after hearing his letter. Following 1pm Mass at the Dominican's church, Rosaleen Donovan said she now backed Dr Murray. "I would support the bishop," said the Clarina woman. "We have just heard a very full and frank letter from him explaining what happened and I would be right behind him. He's a good man." Witch-hunt Her husband Tom also backed the bishop. He explained: "It's as if there is a bit of a witch-hunt, which I don't think is right. The part he played will have to be investigated fully before people can say if he acted wrongly." Also at the Mass was Niamh Lawler Turner, from Cratloe, who said that she didn't want to see Bishop Murray step down. "I'm happy about him staying on," she said. "It was good that he produced that letter to say what had happened." Others though, had less clear-cut views on whether he should remain as bishop. "I'm very ambivalent," said Geraldine Allen from Corbally. "It just makes me think of the arrogance of the Catholic Church. I have faith and I'm a believer but I just feel very torn over this. "He is a lovely, lovely man and he confirmed my two children," she said. "I feel very, very sorry for the man but his actions were wrong and what happened was a crime." Noreen Doyle also had mixed feelings about Bishop Murray. "I'd have to think about whether he should step down," she said. "He should take responsibility for what he did. Maybe he was getting pressurised by those higher up but that is still no excuse."
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