Bishop Would Back Report into Child Abuse, by Liam Cosgrove, Longford Leader, December 4, 2009

Bishop Would Back Report into Child Abuse

By Liam Cosgrove
Longford Leader
December 4, 2009

http://www.longfordleader.ie/news/Bishop-would-back-report-into.5873388.jp

IRELAND--he Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois has indicated he would be willing to allow an investigatory body to undertake a report similar to the Murphy report in the Dublin archdiocese on clerical sex abuse if the "public and political will" called for it.

Bishop Colm O'Reilly was speaking less than a week after the Murphy Report uncovered shocking tales of abuse from hundreds of priests on children spanning three decades, whilst also revealing details of a massive cover-up involving Church and some agencies of the State.

The long serving cleric said he would have "no problem" in sanctioning an independent audit of the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois as calls mount for a nationwide investigation of every diocese in the country.

Bishop Colm O'Reilly has admitted he would not stand in the way of an investigation being carried out in Ardagh and Clonmacnois.

"Not in the least," he said when asked about whether he would oppose such a probe. "If the Commission actually decided to go to Clonmacnois next I would be in total support of that. I would provide them with that (information) if it was put to me."

Asked about the prospect of corresponding initiatives taking place elsewhere, Bishop O'Reilly said the decision might well be out of the hands of even the most senior Church leaders.

"I just don't know," he said. "Nobody is in a position to say. I don't think any Government Minister said that should be done yet. I suppose it's up to the Government and its agencies to decide."

Returning to the astonishing findings of the Murphy Report, Bishop O'Reilly struggled at times to sum up the graphic nature of the report.

"The Report from the Dublin Commission of Enquiry into child abuse by clergy brings home once again the extent of suffering caused to innocent children by priests who abused them," he said in a statement.

"What makes this criminal activity most abhorrent is that it was perpetrated by people with a sacred calling who betrayed the trust placed in them. It must be accepted that church leaders put the good of the Church as (an) Institution before the welfare of the abused and failed to act in an appropriate manner.

"A great wrong has been done which I find revolting and shameful. I again express my apologies to all who have suffered abuse by Church personnel and encourage anyone who still has need to be heard in this regard to approach the civil authorities or the Diocese."