THE structures in place for safeguarding children in
the Catholic Church are now "very sound", according to the newly
appointed Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise.
Father Francis Duffy will succeed Bishop Colm O'Reilly, who resigned over two years ago.
Fr Duffy's appointment is the latest in a series of changes to the Irish hierarchy following the publication of the Murphy Report into Child Abuse.
The announcement was made following a special Mass in St Mel's Cathedral Centre in Longford yesterday.
Responding to a question at the ceremony following the latest details of the Murphy Report – which highlighted the "connivance" of the gardai in stifling an investigation into a priest in another diocese – he said: "The structures for safeguarding are very sound. A lot of people are involved in a voluntary capacity in safeguarding children. I think that that has been a very positive result in the diocese, and in this diocese in particular."
"I am looking forward to engaging in that process and continuing to make the church safe for children," he added.