A Vatican probe by senior clergy which will look at questions concerning the handling of sex abuse in four Irish archdioceses could turn it’s attention to the Diocese of Raphoe afterwards.The investigation by two cardinals and three archbishops was ordered by the Pope Benedict in a letter to parishes in Ireland in March.
The inquires are seen as the vatican’s reaction to the Murphy and Ryan reports into clerical child abuse.
The investigation is officially called an apostolic visitation and will look at issues including how priests are trained at seminaries as well as assessing how guidelines on dealing with child abuse are being followed.
The senior clergy will conduct inquires in the four main archdioceses of Armagh, Dublin, Cashel and Tuam. The probe is to begin in the autumn.
It is believed the visitation could then turn its attention to other dioceses such as Raphoe and Cloyne where there have been claims that the church covered up clerical child abuse.
Last month the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church said an audit of child protection in the Diocese of Raphoe may be completed by the end of this year.
Chief Executive of the Board Ian Elliot said he had discussed claims of cover-ups by the diocese with the former detective Martin Ridge and the local Bishop Dr Philip Boyce.
Mr. Ridge, who investigated the convicted paedophile Fr Eugene Greene, said it was logical for the Vatican to look at the four main archdioceses first.
“Pending the inquiry, if Raphoe stands out then and they feel it needs further attention they could look at it when they widen the scope,” he said.
“It would make sense to begin the pilot scheme in the archdioceses.”
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