Abuse Victim Calls for Inquiry into Possible Sex Abuse in Kerry Diocese
By Dónal Nolan
Kerryman
December 2, 2009
http://www.kerryman.ie/news/bishops-regret-over-revelations-in-murphy-report-1960869.html
IRELAND--BISHOP Bill Murphy said he does not think a Commission should be established to inquire into child sex abuse in the Kerry diocese, but added that if it were the Church in Kerry would welcome it and do all to assist in its work.
In an interview with Radio Kerry this week, Bishop Murphy said he did not think an inquiry was necessary to examine the issue in Kerry. And in a letter to parishioners read at Masses throughout the diocese on Sunday, he expressed his 'sincere sympathy and regret' to survivors of clerical abuse.
One survivor of religious abuse in Kerry, John Prior, has said the Bishop's comments do not go far enough to addressing the problem at its root, however.
"I am deeply saddened and shamed by the content of the Judge Murphy report into child sexual abuse by priests in the Archdiocese of Dublin," Bishop Murphy's statement read. "I want to offer my sincere sympathy and regret to those who have experienced child sexual abuse, even though I realise I can never fully understand the depth of their suffering and pain. The report documents evil and criminal activity and highlights a dreadful failure to respond to it appropriately.
 |
"I renew my appeal to all who were sexually abused by clergy to come forward if they have not already done so. I assure them that they will be treated with respect and dignity.
Bishop Murphy sought to give an assurance that abuse could never be protected by either individuals or the institution in Kerry. "The Diocese of Kerry is fully committed to safeguarding children and young people. We have put in place policies, procedures and personnel, in every parish, to see to it that children and young people are cared for as they participate in the various Church activities in their parish."
John Prior, who was subjected to horrific abuse at St Joseph's Industrial School including rape and physical attacks has called for an inquiry to look into clerical sex abuse in diocesan Kerry. Mr Prior said one priest of the diocese delivered him to a brother who had just raped him when he confessed the matter to the priest. As a result he was brutally beaten by his abuser and another brother and required hospital treatment for a week.
Mr Prior says he has informed the diocese of another abuser priest — brought to his attention by his victims — on a number of occasions over the past 20 years, but that nothing was done. While that priest has since died, Mr Prior says he does not believe the institution of the Church has changed at its root.
"We do need a thorough examination of the diocese in Kerry. Three priests were named to me this week, in the course of 57 phonecalls I received since the Report was published. One retired teacher who is now in her 80s told me she had complained one priest on numerous occasions to the Bishop on suspicion of child sex abuse but, again, nothing was done.
"She and her colleagues eventually had to ensure that at least three members of teaching staff were always in the presence of that priest on his visits to their school." He said his main cause for concern in the light of the Report was that the Church had not "learned any lessons really. All this has to be dragged out of them."
Meanwhile, Bishop Murphy said he prays for the ' healing of all who have been hurt and betrayed by the failings of the Church.'
Contact: dnolan@kerryman.ie
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.