A PRIEST in the Diocese of Cloyne has agreed to step aside from ministry pending the outcome of an investigation by Church authorities.The priest, who made the announcement from the altar at Mass yesterday, was surrounded and supported by a large group of family members and friends.
A spokesman for the Diocese of Cloyne said last night that he was not aware of the priest’s announcement.
But he confirmed that a priest of the diocese has "agreed to take administrative leave" pending an investigation into an allegation that has been brought to the attention of the diocese.
He declined to comment further or to discuss the nature of the allegation, although it is understood the issue dates back 30 years.
"This complaint is being dealt with in accordance with the Standards and Guidance Document Safeguarding Children of the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC)," said diocesan spokesman Fr Jim Killeen in a statement.
"The first priority of the diocese of Cloyne is the safety and well-being of children.
"The rights of the complainant and the accused priest are to be respected and any action taken in the course of an investigation should not be construed as implication of guilt on the part of the accused cleric."
The diocese was under fire just before Christmas for its handling of allegations of child abuse.
A damning report by the NBSC found practices in the diocese were "significantly deficient and in some respects dangerous" in dealing with allegations of child abuse.
Pressure mounted on Bishop John Magee, secretary to three popes, and he eventually stepped aside from the day-to-day running of the diocese in February, to concentrate on co-operating with the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Inquiry into alleged child sex abuse in the diocese.
He was replaced by Archbishop of Cashel and Emily Dermot Clifford who was appointed apostolic administrator of the diocese by Pope Benedict XVI.
Monsignor Denis O’Callaghan has been replaced by Fr Bill Bermingham as the Cloyne diocese’s new child protection delegate.
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