PAPAL NUNCIO'S ROLE: THE PAPAL nuncio told the
Murphy commission he could not assist its work. The nunciature “does not
determine the handling of cases of sexual abuse in Ireland and
therefore is unable to assist you in this matter,” Archbishop Giuseppe
Leanza said.
“In fact, such cases are managed according to the
responsibility of local ecclesiastical authorities, in this instance the
diocese of Cloyne. Like all ecclesiastical entities in Ireland, the
diocese of Cloyne is bound to act in accordance with canon law and with
all civil laws and regulations of Ireland as may be applicable.”
As
the report pointed out: “Bishop Magee, prior to his replacement by an
administrator, referred a number of cases to the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith [in Rome]. A case which expressed concerns about
Bishop Magee himself was referred to the Congregation for Bishops by
Archbishop Clifford in a timely manner.
The report also noted that
Archbishop Leanza was “actively involved in the appointment of
Archbishop Clifford as an apostolic administrator to the Cloyne diocese”
in February 2009.
In March 2009, Archbishop Clifford received a
letter from “Joseph”, dated March 10th, repeating allegations he made
against Bishop John Magee.
“As Archbishop Clifford told the
commission, he passed on details to Archbishop Leanza who, he was told,
reported it to the Congregation of Bishops in Rome, the vicars forane in
Cloyne, Cardinal Seán Brady, the Health Service Executive and the
Garda.
Archbishop Clifford said he notified the papal nuncio “to
ensure that the substance of the complaint would be on file should any
further complaints or concerns arise in relation to Bishop Magee”.
In
1997, the then papal nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Luciano Storero,
sent a “strictly confidential” letter to all Irish bishops advising them
that their framework document on child protection, implemented the
previous year, appeared “contrary to canonical discipline”.