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	New Abuse Claim As Archbishop Says Sorry By Conor Feehan The Herald July 16, 2011 http://www.herald.ie/national-news/new-abuse-claim-as-archbishop-says-sorry-2823443.html A new allegation of abuse in the diocese of Cloyne is to be investigated just as the Archbishop issues an apology to previous victims in an open letter to be read out at masses this weekend. The fresh allegation follows the publication this week of the Cloyne report into past abuses and cover-ups. The diocese's recently appointed Delegate for Safeguarding of Children, Bill Meagher, has confirmed that he received an anonymous contact in recent days which is believed to relate to a historic allegation of abuse. "I have invited that person to come forward and I have notified gardai and the HSE about it," Mr Meagher said. Appointed in February by Archbishop Dermot Clifford, Mr Meagher now holds the role previously held by Mgr Denis O'Callaghan, whose failings were highlighted in the Cloyne report. He also said he wanted to assure the people of the diocese that all measures were being taken to ensure that there were no child protection issues in the Church in the area. HORRENDOUS In a letter to be read out at all masses this evening and tomorrow morning, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Dermot Clifford expresses remorse for the consistent failure to report abuse allegations, saying the people of the diocese were entitled to expect the complaints to be handled according to church guidelines. "I am sure you will be experiencing many different emotions, including shock, anger, disappointment and sadness, at what is in this report," the diocese's apostolic administrator wrote. "First I wish to reiterate the apology which I made on the day to the many who have suffered horrendous acts of abuse perpetrated by some priests of the Cloyne Diocese. "The sexual abuse of children, particularly when carried out by those in positions of trust and responsibility for the welfare of children, is always a criminal as well as a sinful act. It deserves our utter condemnation. "I also apologise again for the consistent failure to report allegations to the civil authorities and for the mistakes and omissions which were made over a number of years in the diocese. "The people of Cloyne were entitled to expect that all such complaints would be handled according to the official church guidelines. "This was not the case, and for this I am truly sorry." The Cloyne report states that two of the priests covered by its remit were still in ministry in the diocese, but Mr Meagher has said the report found that there had been no complaints upheld against them. The report also highlighted the case of one retired priest who is now being monitored by a parish priest but who still has unsupervised -- although regularly checked -- access to a computer. "The priests who are out of ministry have no access to children," Mr Meagher, who is a qualified social worker, said. Contact: cfeehan@herald.ie
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