Diocese Apologises to Victims of Clerical Abuse

Laois Nationalist
September 11, 2012

http://www.laois-nationalist.ie/2012/09/11/diocese-apologises-to-victims-of-clerical-abuse/


TEN priests in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin were accused of child abuse since 1975, with a total of 18 allegations being made against them.

The details were revealed at a press conference last Thursday in the Cathedral Parish Centre, College Street, Carlow.

Mgr Brendan Byrne, along with diocesan chancellor Fr Bill Kemmy and Patricia O’Neill, a trainer in child protection issues in the diocese, addressed waiting media on the publication of the review of safeguarding practice in the diocese.

The audit was carried out by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church and a total of 12 recommendations were made, which have been “accepted in full”, according to Mgr Byrne. It is believed that these recommendations will be implemented by the end of the year.

Addressing the media, Mgr Byrne – who is acting as diocesan administrator, following the resignation of Bishop James Moriarty in April 2010 – said the publication “prompts us to be mindful once again of the stories of people who have suffered great pain over many years”.

Mgr Byrne said his “thoughts today are with the survivors of abuse and with their families, and I respectfully apologise to them for the hurt and offence they have carried.”

Just two of the ten accused priests are alive today. One of them is Fr Peter Cribben, who was convicted in Naas Court of the abuse of a 14-year-old boy in March 2009.

Mgr Byrne revealed that no charges have been brought against the second living priest, but he said both priests remain completely out of the ministry.

He added that six of the accused priests were deceased when allegations against them were made; two priests were alive when they were accused but one died shortly after the allegations against him were made and the second died before a trial could take place.

Fr Bill Kemmy revealed that “most of the allegations in the last ten to 15 years were made against deceased priests” and he added that “no allegations have been made in the last 12 months but two have been made in the last two years.”

Mgr Byrne said the accused priests were all working in parishes at the time and were not working directly in schools.

The report also noted that a further five priests who lived in the diocese but were not of the diocese, had allegations made against them arising from their past ministries.

Two were from other Irish dioceses, two from religious orders and one from a UK diocese. He was suspended by his diocese because of child safeguarding concerns and none are in ministry within the diocese.

In terms of settlements, it was revealed that the diocese has contributed to two civil cases involving priests. In 2004, it contributed ˆ133,835 relating to a priest accused of sexual abuse who passed away in 2002 before his trial took place.

While in the Fr Peter Cribben case, the diocese handed out a total of ˆ226,659 which included ˆ175,000 in settlement and the rest in legal fees.

Mgr Byrne said the diocese had “kept in touch” with those who had made allegations, adding they are “here to help and support” those affected.

He also admitted under questioning that “in the grand scheme of things, there haven’t been many allegations in the diocese. We’re certainly grateful there weren’t more, but one allegation is one too many.”

A total of 56 parishes are included in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, which encompasses parts of Laois, along Carlow as well as areas of Kildare, Offaly, Kilkenny, Wicklow and Wexford.