EVEN as their most senior leaders urged a fresh look at the child abuse indemnity deal which let religious congregations off lightly in terms of financial recompense, diocesan bishops displayed a marked reluctance to get involved in the controversy.Most of those contacted yesterday for comment following the remarks of Cardinal Seán Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on the issue did not respond and those who did said they preferred not to offer any views in advance of the bishops’ joint annual summer meeting next month when the subject is up for discussion.
Bishop of Ferns Denis Brennan said he would be considering his response to calls for more money to be added to the scheme.
His spokesman Fr John Carroll said: "We are aware of the calls [by Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin]. The diocese has no doubt that this is being considered carefully by the religious orders.
"There is a meeting of the bishops’ conference in June. An official position that is reflective of the hierarchy will [be issued] then. He [Bishop Brennan] will consider between here and then what contribution he might make to the debate."
A spokesman for the Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith, also said bishops would speak with a united voice at the crucial meeting in Maynooth next month.
"Bishop Smith understands the matter will be discussed at a full meeting of the bishops’ conference with a view to having a united voice over the very grave matters covered in the report," said Fr Paul Crosbie.
A spokesman for the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Dr William Lee, said he would not comment on the issue of the amount contributed by religious orders ahead of a statement by the bishops last night.
Bishop of Clonfert Dr John Kirby said: "I am not saying anything at the moment."
Fr Nicholas Irwin, spokes- man for Archbishop Dermot Clifford – who is responsible for the Diocese of Cloyne (since Bishop John Magee stood aside over his handling of abuse allegations) and his own Diocese of Cashel and Emly – said Dr Clifford needed more time to consider the child abuse report.
"He hasn’t had time to read the whole report because of his workload and the fact that he is so involved in the issues in Cloyne and he would not want to make a comment without having gone through it in detail."
Bishop Willie Walsh of Killaloe, however, did comment, saying the religious congregations involved in the deal "need to think about the matter".
Bishop John Buckley of Cork and Ross said, through a spokesman, that he had to respect the autonomy of the congregations in making their own decisions.
He added that extra money alone would not help victims who also needed ongoing counselling and the constant reassurance that their Church believed and respected them. "There is more to helping survivors than just giving money," he said.
Bishop Brendan Kelly of Achonry, in Sligo, said while he generally backed what Archbishop Martin and Cardinal Daly said, he too had concerns that "throwing money" at the problem was too simplistic and he also feared it allowed the rest of society to escape reflecting on how its failings contributed to the abuse.
"Other people and other groups in society were also responsible to some degree that such a large number of children were placed in care. This was a societal issue, it wasn’t an issue for the religious orders alone. I think that highly important element of the Ryan Report has to be highlighted.
"As long as we continue to focus on the religious orders, we may neglect to look at the sort of services we are providing as a society. I have met many people who have suffered abuse outside of institutions and indeed outside of the Church and many of them have nowhere to turn."
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