Bishop Criticised in Cloyne Report, Inside Ireland, July 13, 2011

Bishop Criticised in Cloyne Report

Inside Ireland
July 13, 2011

http://insideireland.ie/2011/07/13/bishop-criticised-in-cloyne-report-24716/

The Cloyne Report has criticised Bishop John Magee over his handling of abuse allegations.

It found the former Bishop falsely told the Government and the HSE that the Catholic Diocese was reporting all allegations of clerical child sexual abuse to the civil authorities.

The report also details how an allegation against Bishop John Magee himself in 2008 was dealt with.

Bishop John Magee, whose resignation was accepted by the Vatican in March last year, was also found to have deliberately misled people, after he created two different accounts of a meeting with an accused priest.

It has also singled out Monsignor Denis O’Callaghan, who assisted Bishop Magee in the running of the diocese.

In addition to the above, the Commission of Inquiry has also raised concerns over the lack of evidence of a Garda investigation into two allegations of abuse against a priest.

The report was initially submitted to Government last December, but legal complexities meant it was not approved for publication by Cabinet until now.

At 400 pages in length, the report details findings on 19 priests who faced abuse allegations over a 13-year period, as well as how the Cloyne Diocese handled abuse allegations, even as recently as 2009.

The report draws attention to one case where, despite Garda assurances, the Commission can find no evidence of Garda investigations into allegations by two women against a single priest. It said it is “concerned” and does not accept that there was a proper investigation into the complaints against the priest named as “Fr Corin”.

The report also details how an allegation against Bishop John Magee himself in 2008 was dealt with.

The Bishop allegedly embraced an 18-year-old youth and kissed him on the forehead; the behaviour was deemed inappropriate but not reportable.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is operating a confidential freephone helpdesk for people who have suffered abuse at the hands of clergy.

The initiative from the Executive was launched to coincide with the publication of the Cloyne Report.

The helpdesk, which can be contacted on 1800-742800 is open from 8.00am until midnight, and is collaboration with eight counselling and advocacy agencies.