‘Inappropriate’ behaviour claim robustly dealt with – Maynooth, by Cathal Barry, Irish Catholic (May 26, 2016)

‘Inappropriate’ behaviour claim robustly dealt with – Maynooth

By Cathal Barry
Irish Catholic
May 26, 2016

http://irishcatholic.ie/article/%E2%80%98inappropriate%E2%80%99-behaviour-claim-robustly-dealt-%E2%80%93-maynooth

EXCLUSIVE

Maynooth has insisted that robust procedures are in place to handle complaints against seminarians after allegations of a gay culture in the seminary were made in an anonymous letter to the Irish bishops.

The letter – which allegedly named seven seminarians and two staff members – claimed that members of the seminary community had allegedly been involved in inappropriate behaviour of a homosexual nature.

The letter claimed that there was a gay subculture within the seminary and allegedly urged members of the Irish hierarchy to intervene as a matter of urgency to address the complaints made in the anonymous missive.

The correspondence – sent to the hierarchy’s executive secretary Msgr Gearóid Dullea – is said to have caused extreme divisions in the seminary community with one person using the word “poisonous” to describe the atmosphere in Maynooth as the academic year comes to an end.

Questions

Responding to questions about the allegations, college president Msgr Hugh Connolly insisted that robust procedures for addressing such claims are in place.

“The policy of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth is to thoroughly deal with any concerns brought to its attention regarding a seminarian’s behaviour in accordance with the Seminary Rule and seminary protocols and in consultation with all relevant parties.”

Msgr Connolly confirmed that “St Patrick’s College, Maynooth has in place, for many years, an independent panel and chairperson to process and adjudicate on all matters of concern in complete confidentiality”.

He refused to be drawn further on the controversy or to answer questions put to him by this newspaper about the nature of any investigation in to the allegations or any disciplinary action taken as a result of the investigation.

It is unknown whether the independent panel referred to by Msgr Connolly found any basis for considering the allegations of inappropriate behaviour as credible.