Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Ferns, Bishop Eamon Walsh, said last night he believed the Catholic Church should apologise for the sexual abuse of children carried out by Father Sean Fortune and other catholic priests.
Dr Walsh, one of the principle figures in the church leading the drive towards eradicating sex abuse in the clergy apologised to the victims and relatives of victims of Father Fortune. He made the statement during a visit to the church at Templetown in Fethard on Sea.
Dr Walsh, was sent to the Diocese of Ferns following the resignation of Dr Brendan Comiskey. It is understood Bishop Comiskey has left Wexford and is now living in Hawaii.
Meanwhile, in Ferns diocese the The Irish Timesconfirmed this week that another priest there has been suspended from his duties. This is in addition to the priest reported as suspended the week before that.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Ferns diocesan said: "the diocese of Ferns can confirm that two priests have been asked to step aside from ministry by the Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Eamon Walsh, while serious allegations are being investigated. The relevant authorities have been notified."
The priest whose suspension was reported is a curate in a rural Co Wexford parish, though the allegations concerned arise from his period in a Co Wexford town.
Also, The Irish Timesreported this week that three priests in the Dublin archdiocese were also suspended from the ministry in recent weeks, pending further investigation.