Priest Quits to Clear His Name, Wexford Echo, May 26, 2011

Priest Quits to Clear His Name

Wexford Echo
May 26, 2011

http://www.wexfordecho.ie/news/eyaukfeyql/

THE DIOCESE of Ferns has been rocked by the decision of one of its most well known and senior priests to step aside at the weekend because of an allegation of abuse.

At the Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Riverchapel on Saturday evening, Fr. John Sweetman – one of four Vicars Forane in the diocese – told the congregation that an allegation had been made against him and he therefore had to step aside from active ministry.

The policy of a priest immediately removing himself from clerical duties upon receipt of an allegation of abuse in the diocese was first introduced by Apostolic Administrator Eamonn Walsh in 2002.

Contacted by this newspaper yesterday, a spokesperson for the diocese issued the following terse statement: ‘A complaint has been received against a priest.

The priest has refuted the complaint as wholly untrue and he has sought leave to co-operate with the necessary inquiries.’

As a Vicar Forane, Fr. Sweetman played a pivotal role in the management of the diocese for Bishop Denis Brennan and would have had personal responsibility for its day to day management and pastoral welfare in North Wexford. Fr. Sweetman was not available for comment yesterday.

When the diocese receives a concern about a priest that relates to safeguarding children, it immediately notifies the Gardai, the HSE and the National Office and whatever recommendations are received are followed.

“The community is absolutely numbed by it,” said Cllr. Robbie Ireton, who described Fr. Sweetman as “a breath of fresh air” during his time in the parish. “He is a total gentleman and someone you would trust your life with.”

Fr. Sweetman’s decision to go public with the allegation is not without precedent. Fr. John Kinsella issued a statement to the parishioners of the Ballagh when allegations of abuse were made against him to the Gardai.

“The community is standing behind him and no one believes anything that’s being said about him. The law states that you are innocent until proven guilty and many people feel that she should have been allowed to stay on here and defend his name,” added Cllr. Ireton.

A total of 14 years of Fr. Sweetman’s clerical career was devoted to the parish of St. Aidan’s in Enniscorthy, where he is still fondly remembered by the people of the parish.

It was with a sense of great regret that news of his departure, in August 2006, to take up a new appointment as Pastor of Riverchapel, was heard in the cathedral town, where the Bannow native had ministered diligently, including serving as Parish Administrator.

There were many innovations in the life of the parish during his tenure in St. Aidan‘s, serving a number of years before succeeding Fr. Robert Nolan (now PP of Adamstown) as Administrator.

Among his greatest legacies was his involvement in the highly-ambitious and eminently successful major restoration work of the A. W. Pugin designed Enniscorthy cathedral in 1994, sharing the burden of the massive project with Fr. Nolan and clerical colleagues, along with a wide selection of laity whom Fr. Sweetman had invited to join.

Fr. Sweetman was also very prominent a decade later when, this time joining Bishop Eamon Walsh, the 10th anniversary of the momentous project was marked with ceremonies in St. Aidan’s.

On the occasion of the cathedral’s 150th anniversary, in June 1996, as then Administrator of St. Aidan’s, he presided over the special celebrations. He acknowledged that 50 per cent of the funding for the work came outside the parish of St. Aidan’s.

A tireless Administrator, Fr. Sweetman was much admired for his energy and enthusiasm in St. Aidan’s parish, and later in his capacity as parish priest of RiverchapelCourtown Harbour.