Bishop of Clonfert Sorry for Moving Two Abusive Priests
By Patsy McGarry
[with video] The Bishop of Clonfert has apologised for moving two priests from one parish to another in the 1990s after they abused children. Dr John Kirby said he had a lack of understanding about the sinister and recidivist nature of the child abuser and the lifelong damage that the destructive behaviour has on victims. "Most of all - whilst I did notify the civil authorities at the time of these complaints - I profoundly regret and apologise for moving the priests concerned to different parishes, thereby placing others at serious risk," he said. Dr Kirby said the decision to transfer the abusive priests in the early to mid-90s was a grave mistake. "I operate very differently now and will continue to do so in the future," he added. "Finally, I wish to reiterate my regret for the terrible damage caused by these two priests." Later, in an interview on Galway Bay FM Bishop Kirby tried to explain his actions in the 1990s, saying he had no comprehension of paedophilia. "I saw it as a friendship that crossed a boundary line," he said. "I have learnt sadly since that it was a very different experience." The revelation about Clonfert was included in one of seven reports following audits by the Catholic Church's own watchdog into four dioceses and three religious orders. Ian Elliott, chief executive of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC), carried out the reviews on behalf of the church. He examined child protection in Clonfert, Cork and Ross, Kildare and Leighlin and Limerick, and the religious orders the Dominicans, the Spiritans, who were formerly known as the Holy Ghost Fathers, and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. A separate audit of Cork and Ross Diocese uncovered concerns about priests retiring to Cork from Britain, including three with convictions for child abuse. It warned that information from their dioceses in the UK was "not as forthcoming as it should have been", leading to a lack of awareness of potential risk. In Limerick, some 500 priests have ministered in the diocese since the 1940s and since 1975 complaints were made against 26 priests, 18 of whom were priests of the diocese. Some 18 allegations of sexual abuse were made against 10 priests in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin between 1975 and May of this year, according to the report on that diocese. The diocese covers 56 parishes in Co Carlow and parts of Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Kilkenny, Wicklow and Wexford. Dr Elliott warned about the damage to a priest who is forced to step down from duties while complaints are examined. He said the issue of three priests in Cork and Ross subsequently allowed to return to ministry highlighted whether it is just and fair to force suspension. Dr Elliott said paucity of evidence and the length of investigations may have added to avoidable distress and public ignominy. This second tranche of such reviews by the church's child protection watchdog includes religious congregations for the first time. The report on the Spiritan/Holy Ghost congregation found that 142 abuse allegations had been made against 47 Spiritan or Holy Ghost priests since January 1st, 1975, eight of whom are living with three out of ministry. Three Spiritan priests have been convicted in the courts. The review found that Spiritan case files made for "very sad reading" with evidence there were serial abusers who worked in school communities in Ireland who "went undetected and unchecked giving them unmonitored access to children during the 1960s, 70s and 80s." It also found it "reasonable to believe.that there are other victims of Spiritans who have not yet come forward. These victims may be located in Ireland, Canada, USA, Sierra Leone and any other country where the offending priests/brothers have worked." The Spiritan (Holy Ghost) congregation runs some of the best-known schools in Ireland, including Blackrock College, St Mary's, Templeogue College and St Michael's in Dublin, as well as Rockwell College in Co Tipperary. Allegations of sexual abuse were made against 27 Dominican friars since 1975, the report published by that order said. Two friars have been convicted of offences against children since 1975. Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald said she has planned a series of meetings with Mr Elliott and also leaders of the congregations to discuss the audits. "To think that such a culture and mindset continued to exist among sectors of our society until as recently as 12 months ago, is bitterly disappointing, it is deeply worrying and it is quite simply unacceptable," she said. The NBSCCC has another 16 dioceses to audit and 162 congregations and missionary unions. Two of the dioceses - Limerick, and Kildare and Leighlin - have been without a bishop since the resignations of Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray and Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Jim Moriarty in December 2009 following publication of the Murphy report. Both were auxiliary bishops in Dublin during the period investigated by the Murphy Commission. The first tranche of reviews, involving the six dioceses of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Derry, Dromore, Kilmore, Raphoe and Tuam Archdiocese, was published last November. Fianna Fáil said the reports provided further evidence of the need for a fully independent, national inquiry into child protection. "Today's publication is another tragic chapter in a story of failure and abuse," said Senator Marc Mac Sharry, the party's Seanad spokesman on health. "What further evidence does the Government need to warrant a statutory inquiry?"
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