Church Audits Find Marked Improvement Despite Past Failures, by Michael Kelly, Irish Catholic, November 30, 2011

Church Audits Find Marked Improvement Despite Past Failures

By Michael Kelly
Irish Catholic
November 30, 2011

http://www.irishcatholic.ie/site/

Audits into the handling of clerical abuse allegations in six of Ireland's Catholic dioceses reveal "a marked improvement" in how the Church is dealing with allegations. However, the reviews, carried out by the independent National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC) and released November 30 also show that in the past too much emphasis was put on the rights of accused priests and protecting the reputation of the Church.

According to Ian Elliott, Chief Executive of the NBSCCC (pictured) the audits show that "reporting allegations to the statutory authorities occurs promptly and comprehensively". He said that "represents a major development as past practice did not always reflect this commitment".

He also said that "the need to create and maintain a safe environment for children in the Church is comprehensively accepted and implemented".

Overall the six audits, which cover the dioceses of Raphoe, Derry, Dromore, Ardagh & Clonmacnoise, Tuam and Kilmore...