THE Bishop of Raphoe Philip Boyce has issued a statement in relation to national newspaper reports on the appointment of Father Patrick McGarvey as Parish Priest in Fanad.
This is his statement in full:
"I had no doubts about the suitability of Fr Patrick McGarvey to become a Parish Priest. The decision to make him a Parish Priest was made after consultation with priest advisors and with priests of the area where Fr McGarvey had been performing his duties in a satisfactory fashion over the past four and a half years."
"He has proved to be very popular in Fanad as he had been in previous parishes. He has apologised for his actions in the past which did not constitute child sexual abuse and he has paid a high price for it. Not to appoint him Parish Priest now could be construed as further punishment which would be unwarranted."