Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Document brings a black day to diocese

TODAY will be a black day for the diocese of Cloyne and its former bishop, John Magee, whose resignation was accepted last year by the Pope.

Today's publication of the Murphy Report into handling of clerical child abuse cases in northeast Cork has been forged in a legal furnace for 30 months and two weeks.

It was in January 2009 that then Children's Minister Barry Andrews instructed the Murphy Commission of Investigation into the Archdiocese of Dublin to extend its remit to Cloyne.

This move by the State followed an explosive report published in December 2008 by the church's own internal watchdog, the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church.

The board's chief executive, Ian Elliott, found that Bishop Magee had responded inappropriately to sex abuse allegations made by five people against two priests.

Complaints

The State's Commission of Investigation under the chairmanship of Judge Yvonne Murphy then began examining complaints of clerical abuse made in Cloyne between 1996 and 2009.

The report details complaints against 19 priests, some still alive, some dead, under pseudonyms, each with a separate chapter.

Judge Murphy's team of three investigators interviewed more than 100 people, including complainants, priests, gardai, social workers and senior figures in the diocese.

They also interviewed Newry-born Bishop Magee (74).

The report was handed to then Justice Minister Dermot Ahern on December 23, 2010.

In the wake of the Ferns, Ryan and Dublin reports, Cloyne will be another massive blow to the church's standing in Ireland.

From out of the shadows will come victims telling their tragic personal stories.

A black July 13 in Cloyne.