A Catholic Bishop criticised in a sickening report on the Church's mishandling of clerical child sex abuse in Ireland has been given the full backing of priests and Mass-goers in his diocese.Under-fire Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray faced mounting calls to stand down after a state inquiry branded his failure to investigate a paedophile priest inexcusable.
Bishop Murray insisted, however, he would be judged by lay people and the priests of the Diocese.
About 80 of his supporters met on Sunday before issuing a letter praising his integrity and pledging their total support.
"We believe it would be a retrograde step for the continuing development of safeguarding children, in our diocese and society, for our bishop to resign," the group said.
"He has given us wonderful leadership in this regard and we believe he is worthy of the wholehearted support expressed at our large gathering on Sunday."
Judge Yvonne Murphy found hundreds of child abuse allegations were covered up by senior churchmen over a 30-year period because they were obsessed with secrecy and upholding the reputation of the Church.
But Bishop Murray was singled out for handling a number of complaints and suspicions badly.
The report said he did not deal properly with suspicions and concerns about paedophile Fr Tom Naughton and failed to reinvestigate the priest when proof of abuse was brought forward. Twenty complaints were made against him.
Despite these findings supporters said: "We are convinced from our experience of his 13 years as our bishop that Donal Murray is a good person. We have deep respect for and total confidence in his personal integrity, as well as his utter commitment to truth and justice."
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