Cardinal Desmond Connell has apologised to victims of sexual abuse by members of the clery in the Archdiocese of Duiblin following last night's Prime Timeprogramme it is facing 450 legal actions. In a statement this evening, the Cardinal said the victims of sexual abuse by the clergy had suffered a "terrible betrayal".
|
|
Cardinal Desmond Connell apologised following allegations the Catholic Church hierarchy was aware of numerous allegations of sex abuse within the Dublin Diocese.
|
A group representing victims of clerical sexual abuse has called for Cardinal Connell to resign over his handling of the allegations which include a claim that a paedophile ring was operating among priests.
There has also been strong political reaction to the Prime Timeprogramme with Fine Gael justice spokesman Mr John Deasy calling for a Garda inquiry and his Labour counterpart Mr Pat Rabitte saying the remit of the Birmingham Inquiry into sex abuse allegations in the diocese of Ferns should be extended to include last night's revelations.
Mr Rabitte said: "What we now know is of such seriousness that I believe it is no longer appropriate to leave the matter entirely to the Church authorities."
Mr Deasy was more scathing and said the Church appointed inquiry into sex abuse being conducted by retired judge Ms Gillian Hussey was not a sufficient form of investigation.
"How can anyone expect the public to trust an inquiry conducted by the Church given their historical collusion in hiding and denying these crimes? ... The courage of these victims to come forward and tell of their abuse cannot be underestimated. The least they deserve is to have their case heard in a court of law," Mr Deasy said.
Irish Survivors of Child Abuse has described Dr Connell's position as "untenable" and have insisted he step down immediately.
They say last night's programme proves what victims have been claiming for years: that there had been a cover-up of sex abuse at the highest level in which the Catholic Church and members had colluded to prevent abusers facing justice.
The organisation is also demanding a Garda inquiry be immediately ordered by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell. The Minster said this morning he was very disturbed at what he had heard about the programme, but some reflection was needed before the State could give a response.
The programme reported that the Archdiocese of Dublin is currently facing 450 legal actions as a result of clerical child sex abuse allegations. It detailed accounts of cases of abuse by eight priests. At least six bishops became aware of these cases.
The programme claimed that a paedophile ring was operating within the Dublin clergy, and that the Church hierarchy was aware of its existence.
In 1992, Cardinal Connell set up a three-man tribunal to investigate allegations against one priest, Father Tony Walsh. He had been a priest in Coolock and Ballyfermot in the 1980 period while also being a member of the All Priests Show Father Walsh. It found him guilty and recommended that he be defrocked but told nobody about its findings.
Father Walsh decided to appeal the decision and meanwhile continued to act as a priest. He was later jailed for sexual abuse.