IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph
Ex-bishop accepts mistakes after watchdog criticises poor judgement in dealing with paedophile priests
24 April 2013
A retired Catholic bishop has admitted mistakes after a watchdog found opportunities to stop dangerous paedophile priests were consistently missed.
Joseph Duffy, who led the Diocese of Clogher on the border in Ireland for 31 years, conceded poor judgment among past hierarchy in dealing with clerical abuse allegations.
The damning review found one serial abuser had not been taken out of ministry but moved to a new parish and eventually sent overseas for therapy.
In a second case, auditors said it was unacceptable to allow a priest facing a credible abuse allegation to continue to minister.
“I accept the criticism in the review and regret that, in the past, the standard of managing some cases fell short of what is expected today,” Bishop Duffy said.
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