Monday, June 13, 2011

Bishop Casey still not allowed to say Mass

Former Bishop of Galway Eamonn Casey prepares to celebrate 60 years in the priesthood later this month but is unlikely to be granted the privilege of saying Mass publicly to mark the occasion.

Dr Casey (84) has still not been returned to ministry five years after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided not to bring charges following allegations of abuse made against Dr Casey. 

The prelate has always strenuously denied the allegations which were made by a woman and related to alleged incidents more than 30 years ago. 

The same woman made similar unproven claims against others.

Despite the DPP's belief that Bishop Casey has no charge to answer, the Vatican's internal investigation into the matter is apparently still ongoing and Dr Casey is still awaiting a decision.

When asked about the issue, Fr Sean McHugh, spokesman for the Diocese of Galway, simply responded by saying: ''I will not be replying to your enquiry.''

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ was not contactable as The Irish Catholic went to press this week. 

The Vatican reserves the sole right to judge allegations made against a bishop.

However, it is unclear just why the investigation is taking so long, especially since the DPP and the Gardai have long since ended their interest in the case. 

In other such cases, Church inquiries have often been completed swiftly after the civil proceedings have come to an end.

Bishop Casey resigned as Bishop of Galway in 1992 after revelations that he had fathered a child with American divorcee Annie Murphy. 

He subsequently spent many years working as a missionary in Ecuador and in a parish in Britain before returning to live in Galway in 2005. 

Dr Casey won widespread praise for his tireless work as president of Trocaire over many years and has attended a number of Masses publicly as a member of the congregation.