Bishop Moriarty under Pressure to Resign, Offaly Express, December 9, 2009

Bishop Moriarty under Pressure to Resign

Offaly Express
December 9, 2009

http://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/Bishop-Moriarty-under-pressure-to.5895162.jp

IRELAND -- AN abuse survivor has stated that Bishop Jim Moriarty should resign from his post over complaints of sexual abuse she reported to him while he was an auxiliary bishop in Dublin in 1993.

Marie Collins, who was abused by 'Fr Edmondus' while a patient in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, said she is not looking for any individual "bishop's head on a plate", but added that she felt Bishop Moriarty "must go". As Bishop of Kildare and Leighin, Bishop Moriarity is the head of the Roman Catholic faith in parts of Laois and Offaly.

Bishop James Moriarty

"I am not out to bring down any particular bishop," Mrs Collins told the 'Express'.

"The auxiliary bishops were aware of abuse and knew what abuse was. Many of them had criminal law degrees as well as canon law degrees but they allowed priests to remain on in their parishes.

"I feel they all need to step down. People now need to know that they realise how serious their offence was. They can't get away from the fact that innocent children were harmed. This wasn't back in the 1930s or 1940s," she said.

Mrs Collins said the bishops couldn't hide behind an excuse that there was a learning curve. "How long does it take to learn that the rape of a child is a criminal act?"

She said she has serious concerns about the actions of Bishop Moriarty while an auxiliary bishop in Dublin. While he confronted 'Fr Edmondus', the records were not checked for a further four years, when a 1960 complaint became known.

"There weren't just concerns, but actual abuse on his file," remarked Mrs Collins. She said Bishop Moriarty, "didn't act thoroughly - he spoke to the priest but didn't speak to the people who made the complaints."

Mrs Collins believes the failure to act by church authorities has been further compounded by a lack of acknowledgement of responsibility by individuals. "Even if they came out and said I should have done A, B or C and I regret if that caused harm to anybody. Even if they said that, it would be something. It would be wonderful if we had a touch of humility and a little regret."

The issue is dealt with in Chapter 13 of the Murphy Report into clerical child sex abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese.

The Bishop declined to comment but confirmed through a spokesperson that his 'consideration of the report and his response to it is ongoing'. Bishop Moriarty has also received a letter from Archbishop Martin about his response to the Murphy Report.

Chapter 13 outlines how he was aware of concerns in 1993 about a 'Fr Edmondus' whom it later emerged had abused children over a number of decades. Bishop Moriarty warned the priest about 'inappropriate behaviour' which included: 'children visiting his house and changing before going swimming; young girls driving around with him in his car; giving young children money'.

Crucially, however, he failed to request the Archbishop of the time to check archives and files relating to 'Fr Edmondus' when complaints were received in 1993.

Archbishop Martin also said last week that Bishop Moriarty was one of those who has 'a responsibility to come forward' and provide 'answers that can stand up'.

In March 1997 'Fr Edmondus' was arrested and charged with offences relating to the abuse of a child in a Co Wicklow parish and also the sexual abuse of Mrs Collins.

In June 1997, 'Fr Edmondus' pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on Mrs Collins. Some days later he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on the girl in the Co Wicklow parish. He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in respect of the assaults on Mrs Collins and nine months imprisonment to run concurrently in respect of the Co Wicklow assaults. In November 1997 the sentence was reduced on appeal to nine months.

The Murphy Report states, "Bishop Moriarty discussed the problem with the local priests and with Archbishop Connell. He then warned 'Fr Edmondus' about his behaviour and advised him to desist from the activities mentioned. After this, the parish priest noted a change in his behaviour but others felt he still surrounded himself with children quite a bit.

"No attempt was made by the archdiocesan authorities to check the archives or other files relating to 'Fr Edmondus' when these complaints were received. Bishop Moriarty pointed out to the Commission that he did not have access to the archives but he could have asked the Archbishop to conduct such a search. Information was also received about 'Fr Edmondus' recording the children's voices and he himself admitted to photographing them."