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	Bishops' Initiative Labelled a 'Ridiculous Gimmick' By Jim Morahan One in Four [Northern Ireland] March 17, 2006 http://www.oneinfour.org/news/news2006/initiative/ A sexual abuse victim support group last night described voluntary vetting offered by Northern Catholic bishops as "a rather ridiculous gimmick". One in Four spokesman Colm O'Gorman was responding to a statement made by Archbishop Sean Brady, Primate of All Ireland, at the bishops' March meeting in Maynooth. Archbishop Brady announced the nine Northern bishops were voluntarily submitting themselves for vetting by the North's child protection services. Archbishop Brady said he hoped the new measures would show the Church was willing to learn from the past. "We cannot undo the hurt caused in the past," he said, "but we can put in place measures which will enhance the scope of protection afforded to those placed in our care. This remains our priority." Reacting to Dr Brady's announcement, Mr O'Gorman said: "I think it's meaningless; I think it's purposeless; I also think it's irresponsible. "Unless there is a child protection concern about a particular bishop, or unless the bishops are themselves working with children and vulnerable adults there seems to be absolutely no purpose in having them vetted. Indeed, it would appear to be a significant waste of resource and time in undertaking something like that. "Vetting for child protection isn't something that is gimmicky," said Mr O'Gorman. "It isn't something that should be done in order to score points in the press and public perception; it's a serious process. Mr O'Gorman added: "If there are fears about vetting, let them introduce vetting across the Church for people working with children and vulnerable adults and that would have some purpose," said Mr O'Gorman. Dr Brady announced child sexual abuse allegations have been made against 81 Catholic priests, brothers and nuns in Northern Ireland over the past 40 years. The allegations represent 1.5% of those in the ministry, or three complaints of abuse for every 200 priest, brothers and nuns. Dr Brady said a new Director of Child Protection for the Church in Northern Ireland will be appointed.
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