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	Catalogue of Failure Revealed As 'Hidden' Chapter Published By Ralph Riegel Irish Independent December 20, 2011 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/catalogue-of-failure-revealed-as-hidden-chapter-published-2967944.html THE newly released chapter of the Cloyne Report details a catalogue of shocking errors and delays in handling abuse complaints levelled against a priest dubbed 'Fr Ronat'. Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald said that Chapter 9 -- the longest chapter in the entire report by Judge Yvonne Murphy -- had left her "deeply disturbed". Victim support group One In Four said it was clear that the diocese had tried to protect and support priests, including Fr Ronat. The 42-page chapter found that: ? On one occasion there wasn't "any evidence of a genuine investigation" into an abuse complaint. ? On another occasion, diocesan officials waited six months to put an abuse allegation to Fr Ronat. ? Fr Ronat at one point threatened to sue Bishop John Magee for defamation if he was not made a parish priest. This was described by one diocesan official as "self-evidently a bluff" by the priest. ? One complainant said that another diocesan official adopted "a deplorable" attitude toward her in hearing her complaint. "He could just barely tolerate me being there." ? When discussing whether to promote Fr Ronat, the diocese was "more concerned about causing scandal than protecting children". ? Fr Ronat was offered promotion as parish priest to two parishes before 1999 -- knowing he would refuse both appointments. ? Despite a diocesan committee recommending restricted ministry for Fr Ronat, "there is no evidence of any restriction being placed on him at this time". ? The report found that one complainant made a statement to gardai in 2003 -- but that there was no proper investigation until 2009. The statement was then found in a filing cabinet. ? Despite restrictions placed on Fr Ronat to stop his involvement in school activities, he "acted as the master of ceremonies at Confirmation ceremonies". This was known to diocesan authorities. ? When Fr Ronat was finally stood down from ministry, he was not stopped from wearing priestly garb. ? The perception amongst some was that Fr Ronat had health problems and that he was a priest in good standing.
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