The Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, has said calls for the resignation of the Bishop of Limerick, Donal Murray, are based on a “gross misreading” of certain parts of the Murphy report into clerical child abuse.Bishop Murray has faced calls for his resignation after the report, published last week, described his handling of a particular allegation as “inexcusable”.
At a mass in Limerick yesterday, Bishop Murray told parishioners he would "be guided by the priests and people of the diocese” on whether he should resign.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland programme today, Dr Willie Walsh said he was uncomfortable with what he described as “the public trial” surrounding Bishop Murray.
“I’d have to ask, is it about the healing of survivors or is it about some sort of desire to get a head on a plate?” he said.
Bishop Walsh said while “an enormous injustice” had been done to victims of clerical abuse, the situation would not be helped “if we do injustice to other people involved”.
Asked if he thought Bishop Murray should resign, Dr Walsh said he was "not going to stand in judgment" over Bishop Murray, as "I am too well aware of my own frailty in this area, and I can't say I have never made a mistake in this area over the past 15 years.”
But he warned that some of the interpretation of the report's findings in relation to Bishop Murray represented a “misreading of the report”.
“I think if somebody is to be asked to stand down then I think the report needs to be studied properly and the facts ascertained,” he said.
“Bishop Murray has asked for time consult priests and the people of Limerick, and I think he should be given that time,” he said.
Speaking on RTÉ television’s The Week in Politics programme last night, Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea said of Bishop Murray that “he will make the appropriate decision”.
Asked if he believed Bishop Murray should resign, Mr O’Dea said “I know Donal Murray personally and I have always had a very good relationship with him, and I find him a decent man. I must say that I am bitterly disappointed to read what I have read in the Murphy report.”
Programme presenter Seán O’Rourke asked “. . . that he behaved inexcusably?” The Minister replied, “Yes, I am bitterly disappointed to read that finding. I am sure Donal Murray, who is a person who would think deeply about these things, is examining his situation at the moment and he will make the appropriate decision.”
Speaking at Mass in St Joseph’s Church in Limerick yesterday, Bishop Murray said: “There have as you know been calls for me to resign. As far as I am concerned the question of whether I should resign is a question of whether my presence here is a help or a hindrance to the diocese of Limerick.”
He continued: “In that matter I will be guided by the priests and people of the diocese. We have many bodies that represent groups and areas in the diocese – the priests’ council, the parish pastoral councils, the diocesan pastoral council, the pastoral areas of the diocese and the diocesan child protection committee. They guide me and advise me. And they will be guided and advised by you in your parishes and areas.”
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