Allegations of child sexual abuse have been made against a total of 140 priests and religious in a 68 year period, in the Dublin diocese and at least 400 people have been identified who either complained of abuse, or are believed to have suffered it. The diocese has paid out over €12.4 million in compensation.
The newly released statistics, are an update on the figures released in May of last year which showed that 380 people had suffered abuse.
The 2008 statistics show that
- Allegations have been made against 77 priests of the Diocese, and 54 Religious priests or priests from other Dioceses who held an appointment in Dublin, and 9 Religious doing supply in Dublin.
- Suspicions have been raised concerning 9 priests of the Diocese and 3 religious who held appointments in Dublin.
The statement from the archdiocese, said that all allegations or suspicions of abuse were reported to the civil authorities “in accordance with Our Children Our Church.”
Since the archdiocese began its investigations, 8 priests have been convicted in the criminal courts and a further three Dublin Diocesan priests are currently before the courts.
The statistics reveal that around 400 people “have been identified who have either complained or are known or suspected to have suffered child sexual abuse by priests.”
“It is most likely that this is not a final figure,” says the statement.
Archbishop Martin has appealed once again to anyone with information regarding child sexual abuse by priests in Dublin to come forward and make contact with either the Gardaí, the Child Protection Service of the Diocese, or another counseling service.
It is only by knowing the full truth of the past can we improve the levels of safety for children today, he said.
The statistics constitute a record of allegations made and suspicions raised irrespective of the eventual outcome. Some allegations have been substantiated, others are ”demonstrably false or mistaken”.
They cover a 68 year period during which more than 2,800 priests and religious served in the diocese (over 1,350 Diocesan priests and around 1,450 religious priests). In addition a “significant” number of priests did supply in Dublin, but it is not possible to quantify their number.
To date, 120 civil actions have been brought against 35 Dublin priests or priests who held appointments in the Diocese. 94 have been concluded and 26 are ongoing.
Settlement of claims is running at over €12.4 million (€9.1m in settlements and €3.3 m in legal costs for both sides). Legal costs for priests who have offended are paid only to the point where they are formally charged, said the statement.
The Diocese has spent in the region of €6 million in Child Protection and related services, including the cost of trawling through diocesan files for information for the Commission of Inquiry, counselling and support services for victims of abuse and treatment for priests who have offended.
At the Catholic bishops last Ad Limina visit to Rome in 2006, Pope Benedict XVI urged the bishops to “establish the truth of what happened in the past, to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent it from occurring again, to ensure that the principles of justices are fully respected, and above all, to bring healing to the victims and all those affected by these egregious crimes.”
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(Source: CIN)