Catholic Church in Scotland Knew of 20 Allegations of Child Sex Abuse by Priests

Daily Record
March 9, 2013

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/catholic-church-scotland-knew-20-1752179

Cardinal Keith O'Brien faces allegations of abuse

CATHOLIC Church bishops knew of 20 allegations of child sex abuse by priests between 1985 and 1995, says an expert brought in to probe the claims.

In the mid-1990s, academic Alan Draper was appointed to advise the church on sexual abuse and how to respond to it.

He asked Scotland’s eight bishops what they knew and got letters referring to 20 allegations of child abuse by priests.

Mr Draper says he wanted independent experts to probe further but the bishops declined.

Last night, he said: “I was very concerned about their unwillingness to expose priests who were leading double lives.

“They were very reluctant to do that and I felt that was totally inappropriate.

“There’s strong evidence to say some of the priests were out of control sexually. The file should be made open to an independent group chaired by a judge.”

The church said last night Mr Draper was involved in policy-making but replaced by others with “greater competence”.

The letters sent to him suggest some priests were reported to police and removed from parishes, while others were not.

Now more alleged victims are said to have come forward after Cardinal Keith O’Brien admitted sexual misconduct and resigned as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh. He does not face any criminal allegations or any claims of child abuse.

Lawyer Cameron Fyfe said: “I’m acting for six clients who allege abuse, two of whom have come forward just in the last few weeks since the Keith O’Brien scandal.”

He said two of his clients claimed to have been raped as kids in the late 1980s and mid-1990s.

The Catholic Church in Scotland said: “All allegations are notified to the police. All necessary steps are taken to remove anyone in danger from situations of risk.”

They insist allegations of abuse now are rare. But victim Chris claims he was abused by a priest from the age of nine or 10 until he was in his teens, in the 90s.

He said: “He would get me to perform sexual acts on him and he’d perform sexual acts on me.

“There are many people out there who have been abused.”

Chris’s story didn’t come to light until last year but the case never came to court. The church say they removed the priest from his parish as soon as the allegations were made and police were told.