BISHOP DONAL MURRAY:BISHOP OF Limerick Donal Murray told parishioners he is "reflecting on the decision he now has to make" in a statement read out at Masses across the diocese over the weekend.
Calls have been made for Bishop Murray’s resignation since the publication of the Dublin diocesan report. It criticised his handling of complaints made against clergymen who were later found to have been involved in the sexual abuse of children.
The bishop’s weekend statement followed calls by Primate of All Ireland Cardinal Seán Brady for accountability among bishops in the wake of the report.
Asked what he would do if it were found that children had been abused as a result of any failing on his part, the Cardinal said he would stand down. “I would remember that the abuse of children is a very serious crime in civil and canon law. It’s also a very grave sin,” he said. “If I found myself in a situation where I was aware that my failure to act had allowed or meant other children were abused, well then I think I would resign.”
Cardinal Brady said he would be travelling to the Vatican with Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin this week to discuss the findings of the report with Pope Benedict.
In the statement read out at Masses yesterday Bishop Murray said he is “acutely aware” of the pain and anguish that has been experienced since the publication of the report.
He also repeated his call for prayers for survivors of abuse and victims’ families.
At St Joseph’s Church on O’Connell Avenue where Bishop Murray celebrated Mass on Sunday, the bishop’s secretary, Fr Paul Finnerty, read out the statement at 10am Mass.
“Following the publication of the Murphy report, Bishop Murray has been listening to all voices. Especially to survivors of abuse, the people of the Archdiocese of Dublin, the people and priests of Limerick Diocese, as well as all members of the public who have contacted him by phone, mail and e-mail,” the statement read.
“Bishop Murray is acutely aware of the pain and anguish that has been experienced and expressed in the last week. Bishop Murray thanks all those who have responded to him. He is particularly grateful for the guidance from survivors of abuse, and for the many and varying pieces of advice that he has received and for the messages of support.
“He is reflecting on the decision that he now has to make and asks for your continued prayers especially over the coming week. Bishop Murray also asks us to continue to pray especially for people whose trust was betrayed when they were children so that they may find healing, peace and closure,” concluded the statement.
Bishop's Defence: Parishioners Speak Out
AS THE resignation of Bishop Donal Murray looks imminent, there was still some support for the beleaguered bishop in Limerick yesterday where he personally addressed parishioners a week ago.
Mass-goers at St Joseph's Church on O'Connell Avenue, where last week Bishop Murray said his only public Mass since the publication of the Murphy report, were still supporting the Limerick Bishop.
At the Mass he received a round of applause after he told Mass-goers he would be guided by the people of Limerick as to whether his presence was a "help or a hindrance to the diocese".
There was no sign of the Limerick bishop at St Joseph's yesterday and no similar applause when a statement was read out on his behalf by his secretary Fr Paul Finnerty.
However, some Mass-goers who attended the 10am service yesterday were still standing behind Bishop Murray.
While many accepted that the bishop's resignation seemed inevitable there was still a desire for him to remain in his position in Limerick.
"I think he is handling it all reasonably well," said Martin Murray.
"He explained reasonably well last Sunday as much as could be expected and the congregation were very receptive of it and supported him with a very substantial applause.
I think he should be given as much time as he needs," he continued.
Mr Murray said the Limerick bishop had acknowledged that he didn't do some "things he ought to have done".
"Abuse is terrible, there is simply no question about it but the church wasn't a great place for formation and training at that time," he continued.
Liam Cotter believes there is a vendetta against the Bishop of Limerick.
"I don't for a moment condone anything that happened, how could you, but I do feel there is a section of people going a little bit too far and I think there's a bit of viciousness attached to it," he said.
When asked if Bishop Murray deserves more time to consider his position the pensioner replied: "That's up to his own conscience but I do feel that they are going right over the top and they are not being completely impartial.
There's a vendetta and I'd ask the question: do any of these people practice religion at all themselves?"
Eileen Hyde who also attended yesterday's Mass at St Joseph's Church thinks Bishop Murray should remain on in his position.
"A lot of people want him to resign and I know everybody has their own opinion of him but I think he should be given a chance. He is being made to take the blame for the rest of them I don't think that's fair I think he should be given a chance in all honesty," she said.
KATHRYN HAYES