Archbishop Dermot Clifford, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Cloyne, yesterday apologised to Wrixon’s victim and he urged anyone who may have been a victim of child sex abuse to report the matter to the Garda and the HSE.
“I am deeply sorry that the trust of a young person was betrayed by one of our priests and I wish to apologise and express to him and his family my sincere regret,” said Archbishop Clifford in a statement regarding Wrixon, whom the archbishop described as “a retired priest”.
“Fr Wrixon has not held a diocesan appointment since 2005. He is restricted to the celebration of Holy Mass in private in his home without a congregation and he may not engage in priestly ministry in public.
“He is also not allowed to wear clerical dress or present himself as a priest,” said Archbishop Clifford.
He added that in addition to contacting the Garda and HSE regarding child sexual abuse, victims or anyone with concerns also have the option of contacting him or the diocesan child protection designated officer, Fr John McCarthy, directly.