Statement from Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ to Fr Paddy McCafferty
1st August 2024
The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults must always be a priority for the Diocese of Down and Connor. Last year a review was carried out by Dr Tony McGleenan KC of the handling by the late Bishop Walsh and the diocese of the cases of abuse perpetrated by James Donaghy, a former priest, on multiple victims. The diocese received the final report in February 2024.
One of the victims was a priest of the Diocese of Down and Connor, Fr Paddy McCafferty who, in the early 2000s correctly and entirely appropriately, reported abuse at the hands of James Donaghy. Fr McCafferty came forward out of concern for others who could be at risk. He showed courage and leadership in the face of incredulity, disbelief and animosity on the part of many, including clergy of the diocese.
At the time of the abuse Fr McCafferty was a vulnerable young adult. It is clear now that the report of his abuse was eclipsed by the diocese’s focus on child sexual abuse. This should not have occurred. What Fr McCafferty reported in extensive written detail, in 2003, was clearly criminal.
In contemporary church law the sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult victim is of no less magnitude than the abuse of a minor. This was not recognised at that time in the case of a dominant adult abuser and a vulnerable young victim.
In 2012, in a newspaper article published after James Donaghy had been convicted of serious crimes, the assertion on the part of the diocese of equal standing between an adult abuser and a vulnerable adult was misjudged and unfair to Fr McCafferty who was not believed and supported by the diocese when he should have been.
On behalf of the diocese, I apologise to Fr McCafferty most sincerely and I readily acknowledge the toll all of this has taken on him over the years since his initial reporting in 2001.
An earlier statement made by the diocese in 2006, following the decision of the PPS “not to prosecute” James Donaghy, supported the then alleged perpetrator at the expense of his victims. In the light of his subsequent conviction as an abuser, the statement was ill-judged.
The 2006 diocesan statement also clearly compounded the hurt and pain for all the victims. Indeed, when James Donaghy was finally convicted there was a lack of demonstrable regret in the apology from the diocese for the wrongs done to his victims. I want to take this opportunity now to apologise sincerely to all the victims in that case and all cases.
Courageous victims have led the way in uncovering abuse. Fr Paddy’s speaking out has encouraged others to come forward. I welcome this and in turn I encourage anyone who has suffered abuse to come forward. We, as a diocese, will ensure that our response is victim-centred, professional and just.
The Diocese encourages anyone who has concerns, suspicions or allegations of abuse to come forward and to report that abuse to the statutory authorities or to the appropriate safeguarding representatives.
The Diocese of Down and Connor Safeguarding Office can assist and can be contacted on 028 9049 2798.
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Support for survivors of abuse: Towards Healing, the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, and Towards Peace constitute the pastoral service response to survivors of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Towards Healing Counselling & Support Services is available to survivors of Church, Religious and Institutional abuse. Towards Healing provides lay independent and fully accredited counsellors to support survivors:
The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland provides advice on all aspects of case management, including notification of allegations and support for the complainant:
Towards Peace is a service offering spiritual support to survivors of physical emotional or sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic Church personnel in Ireland: