The cash-strapped Diocese of Ferns has received donations from over ten people after the Bishop of the diocese appealed to people for funds earlier this year. The move created international headlines when the appeal was made last March with many people feeling that the request was unfair.
However, speaking to the Wexford Echo newspaper this week Diocesan Finance Officer Eugene Doyle said, "The money was never going to pay compensation to the victims of sex abuse.”
He claimed, “Individual priests and parishioners had been asking what they could do to help at the diocesan AGM which was held earlier this year.”
He added, "So far over ten individuals had donated sums to the diocese but that none of these sums is substantial.”
Mr Doyle also said that the diocese has endeavoured to respond to all claims made for sexual abuse promptly.
Mr Doyle also insisted that he was doing his job as the Diocesan Finance spokesperson on a voluntary basis and confirmed that Bishop Brennan hoped to initiative a Listening Process similar to what had been done in other dioceses later in the year.
SIC: CIN