''Bishops who have seriously mishandled cases, and thus caused further damage to victims, should also admit this now, rather than do so only subsequently and under external pressure'' Dr Eamonn Conway, a respected theologian has said. Speaking to Trinity College's Theological Society on Monday he added: ''In terms of building trust and demonstrating that a change of heart has really taken place, it would seem essential that priests who have sexually offended but who have not yet been prosecuted would be called upon to admit to their crimes.
On one occasion, Desmond Tutu had to point out to a victim that ''much and all as God loves you, he equally loves your enemy''. Difficult and unpalatable as it may be to consider, there is a duty of care to the perpetrator and this would have to be recognised in the process.''
Listening process
Dr Conway went on to call for a listening process: ''Bishops and other office-holders who are deemed to have failed in their duties should also be called upon to listen first-hand to how their actions or inactions affected victims.
''It would also be helpful to hear how well they felt they were prepared and resourced for their role, and what supports they had available to them while exercising their office.''
He added that it would have to be done right: ''The problem about such a process, however, is that we have to get things right the first time because to embark on it half-heartedly or insincerely, and to fail, would be yet another case of catastrophic abuse.''
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