The latest reports from the National Board for Safeguarding Children have been released, dealing with over 300 allegations of abuse against 146 priests and members of various religious congregations.The four dioceses reviewed are Cork and Ross, Limerick, Clonfert and Kildare and Leighlin.
The three religious orders are the Dominicans, the Spiritans and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
The damning report says that while good practices were observed in places, there were too many examples of a blind eye being turned to abuse.
An audit in the parish of Kildare and Leighlin found that 18 allegations of sexual abuse were made against 10 priests from the diocese since 1975. Only one of those was convicted.
One in Four, a charity providing support and resources for people who have experienced sexual abuse and violence in Ireland, are welcoming the publication of today’s reports.
Executive Director Maeve Lewis says: “These audits examined child protection practices right up to the present day. It is beyond belief that children are still at risk of sexual abuse in certain areas of the Catholic Church and that the lessons of the statutory reports have not been learned. This undermines the very positive efforts that have been made in other dioceses and congregations to keep children safe."
“It is as if certain senior Churchmen continue to believe that child protection procedures are optional and they are above the law of the land. We know from that past that children were abused because church leaders protected sex offenders. I believe that where possible, the Gardai should now investigate if these senior men are in breach of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and if there is evidence to show that they may be guilty of the crime of reckless endangerment of children."
“The Church’s response to people making allegations is also reviewed. Again, while some dioceses and congregations have excellent pastoral programmes in place, in others that is sadly not the case. This supports our experience in One in Four where far too often complainants of sexual abuse are met with a robust legal defence rather that the support they so desperately need.”