BISHOP OF Limerick Donal Murray has “serious questions to answer” in relation to the care and protection of children following publication of the Murphy report, a fellow bishop said yesterday.Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey said he was sure Bishop Murray would be reflecting on his position in light of strong criticism in the report, which found his response to one allegation of abuse in Dublin was “inexcusable”.
“All I can say is that any bishop today around whom there are serious questions in relation to the care and protection of children has serious questions to answer. And I’m sure that Bishop Murray is reflecting on that. I know that he has to date taken the view that he should remain, but I think he will be thinking very seriously about that,” he said.
Dr McAreavey told BBC Radio Ulster’s Sunday Sequence show he would resign if he found himself in the position where his “ability to deal with these matters with credibility and integrity” was challenged.
Many other bishops addressed the publication of the report on child abuse in the archdiocese of Dublin yesterday through statements read out at Masses.
Bishop Colm O’Reilly, of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, apologised for the suffering caused to children by priests who abused them. “What makes this criminal activity most abhorrent is that it was perpetrated by people with a sacred calling who betrayed the trust placed in them,” he said.
“It must be accepted that church leaders put the good of the church as institution before the welfare of the abused and failed to act in an appropriate manner. A great wrong has been done which I find revolting and shameful,” he added.
Bishop of Kerry Bill Murphy urged all those in the diocese who were sexually abused by clergy to come forward and report the abuse, if they had not already done so.
In a statement read to all Masses in the diocese, which includes parts of Co Cork, Dr Murphy said he was deeply saddened by the revelations and he wanted to assure victims of clerical sexual abuse they would be treated with respect and dignity. The bishop described the report as one which documented “evil and criminal activity”.
It also highlighted a “dreadful failure” to respond to it appropriately.
There were rounds of applause yesterday for serving clergy at Masses in Killarney.
Fr Kevin McNamara, curate in Killarney, thanked the congregations at the 10.30am and noon Masses at St Mary’s Cathedral for the prayers and good wishes and huge support from the people at a very difficult time for the church. There was applause at both Masses.
There were prayers also at other denominations, including the Methodist Church in Killarney, for people affected by the report.
Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor issued a pastoral reflection on the contents of the report in which he expressed his “horror and distress” on behalf of his assistant bishop and priests on the findings.
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