Bishop John Buckley of Cork and Ross has made the following response to the issues raised in the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Dublin Archdiocese's handing of child sexual abuse complaints:-We are all very saddened by the terrible events outlined in the Dublin Report.
Our first thoughts are with those who have suffered. Innocent and vulnerable children have suffered greatly as a result of a betrayal of trust by some clergy.
Their families too have been affected deeply. We must constantly remind ourselves that what we are suffering in these days bears no comparison to the hurt, the lasting damage and the distress of the victims and their families.
It is extremely regrettable that, in the past, the Church's systems failed to address this problem adequately. We must do all in our power to ensure that the systems now in place will replace the inefficient management of the past and will provide a just and caring response to people who have suffered as a result.
In recent years, new guidelines have been developed by the Catholic Church. These are about doing what is right by those who suffer and putting procedures in place at all levels within the Church that are directed towards the safeguarding of children. We are endeavouring to ensure that, in responding to any complaints of this nature, we follow those guidelines completely.
Again I want to offer my sincere apologies to all who have suffered abuse perpetrated by Church personnel.
I am deeply sorry that trust has been breached in this way. I am determined that, in so far as is humanly possible, I will seek to ensure that the Church in this Diocese becomes a safe place for all our children.
I again welcome any contact from people who have suffered in this way and I am committed to doing all I can to assist such people in accessing appropriate help.
Bishop John Buckley.
Bishop of Cork and Ross.
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