The country's bishops have less than three weeks to supply comprehensive additional information on child protection practices in their dioceses to the state authorities, including details of any allegations they have received in the wake of the report.As a number of those named in the Murphy report faced continued calls to resign their posts last week –amid suggestions they may face being effectively "fired" by Rome if not – a confidential HSE letter sent to every bishop in the country in recent weeks has required them to ensure any data they provide can be independently verified against state records.
The letter, which forms part of the HSE's ongoing audit of child-protection practices in Catholic dioceses and religious congregations, includes a request for the name of each complainant and the person against whom each allegation was made.
The demands it places on each individual bishop are likely to increase the pressure on those who are considering their positions in the wake of the report's findings.
The letter from the HSE's recently appointed assistant national director for children and family social services, Phil Garland, also includes a request for information on the "name and location as to where the matter was reported to the HSE or former health board and An Garda Síochána" and the date the report was made.
It similarly asks them to "revise your audit to include all additional allegations known to your diocese".
"This information will facilitate the HSE in checking its files to ensure that the matter has been referred to the civil authorities in accordance with Children First," Garland writes. "In addition, this will assist all parties to ensure that no child may be at current risk."
Garland asks for the "revised" audit to be returned to him by registered mail on or before Friday 8 January 2010.
"On completion of this process I will compile a report and submit this to the minister for children and youth affairs," he adds.
At least one of the four remaining serving or former auxiliary bishops criticised in the report – Bishop Jim Moriarty of Kildare and Leighlin – was this weekend seeking advice from his fellow priests as he considered whether to resign his post.
His spokesman said he was not aware of any threat that he may be forced to resign by Rome if he fails to go voluntarily.
He said Moriarty has spoken with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Cardinal Sean Brady in recent weeks but not in the past few days.
Bishop Eamonn Walsh –who has claimed it would be an "injustice" if he had to resign – and Bishop Raymond Field declined to respond when asked this weekend if they will be resigning.
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