A chara, – I refer to the article by Mary Raftery published in The Irish Times(Opinion Analysis, July 14th), where it is stated that there has been a mismanagement of child safeguarding allegations in the diocese of Raphoe "with persistent allegations that there was knowledge of abuse at the highest levels which was not acted on". I wish to challenge this unfounded statement.
As bishop of Raphoe, I have fully co-operated with the recent audit by the Health Service Executive and the audit review by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church. The diocese takes the duty of safeguarding children very seriously. Reflecting church safeguarding policies, all allegations of abuse are reported to the statutory authorities. A diocesan child protection committee was set up in June 2006. Furthermore, there are two specially trained people who, in turn, have trained church personnel, both clerics and laity, in child protection policies and procedures. All 33 parishes have two or more child protection representatives, who in turn train at local level all church personnel who are involved in activities with children. An audit of good practice is carried out in each parish every year and forwarded to the National Board for Safeguarding Children. Vetting for those who work with children has also been put in place.
I express my shock and deep disappointment with the findings of the Cloyne report. It enforces my commitment to continue working and co-operating with State bodies and church policies in creating and sustaining a safe environment for children. – Is mise,
Sir, – Mary Raftery names the diocese of Kerry as one which has “serious questions to answer . . . Kerry (where two priests have been quietly defrocked, a penalty reserved for only the most egregious of offenders)”.
The implication clearly is that the diocese of Kerry is not dealing with abuse offenders in accordance with State and church guidelines. The priests referred to by Mary Raftery were reported to the Health Service Executive and An Garda Síochána. The dismissal process was undertaken when the State had completed its investigation.
It is the policy of the diocese of Kerry to report all allegations to the civil authorities, An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive; and to report all allegations annually to the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church and to co-operate fully in the introduction and implementation of all new policies and procedures for safeguarding children. There are 130 trained parish representatives throughout the diocese of Kerry promoting the safeguarding of children within the church organisations and groups. The diocese of Kerry welcomes all reviews and has participated fully with the HSE audits.
We have just completed our annual diocesan audit of safeguarding practices to ensure the implementation of these policies and procedures.
The diocese of Kerry profoundly regrets that any child should have experienced sexual abuse, particularly by a priest or religious. As a diocese we will continue to be vigilant and to do all in our power to create safe environments for children and young people. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – One day an exasperated Jesus exclaimed to his disciples, “Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear?” (Mark 8:18) Isn’t that a perfect description of the Vatican in relation to child abuse? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – In his statement of response to the Cloyne report on July 13th, Cardinal Brady states: “One positive aspect to come out of Judge Murphy’s report is the confirmation that the church-established structures of review and accountability have been proven to work effectively.” I wonder how the cardinal can make this assertion?
Surely it was, as the Cloyne report reveals, “the courageous voice of survivors” that led to the investigation of the Cloyne diocese? Was it not survivors in Cloyne who brought their concerns to both One in Four and the Minister, who in turn asked Ian Elliott to investigate the diocese? The voice of survivors deserve our recognition and thanks because the problems in Cloyne came to light though their courageous voice rather than church-established structures. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Patsy McGarry (Home News, July 18th) reports the religious congregations are complaining that "the religious are being held responsible for this miscalculation" (of the number of abuse victims). I would very much welcome their clarification of whom they feel shouldbe made responsible for the fact that their members abused more children than the State originally believed? – Yours, etc,