It is not easy reading by any means, but I am conscious that, behind every paragraph is the experience of real people who, as children, suffered abuse and violence in a place where they should have been safe.
They have the right to tell their story.
The tragedy of the report
is not simply that there are so many of them, but that so many of them
had to carry their experience alone for so many years, before they felt
sufficiently free to tell someone else.
While the report relates specifically to Religious-run schools, it would
be naive in the extreme to suggest that child abuse was not also a
reality in other schools, whether Catholic or of any other
tradition. Sadly, sexual abuse, has been endemic in our society.
Both
the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin supported the work of the Scoping
Inquiry, and we will certainly respond to any further enquiry that is
deemed appropriate.
Survivors of abuse in schools are living in all our parishes. They are
our brothers and sisters.
As a bishop, I want to offer my sincere apology to all those who have been affected by abuse in the context of Church. I know from past experience that these words, however well intended, may sound hollow to survivors and their families. I appreciate that actions speak louder than words.
Together with the safeguarding teams in both dioceses, I am committed to ensuring that the policies and procedures which have been put in place for the safeguarding of children will continue to be fully implemented.
The Report serves only to renew that commitment.
I encourage all our clergy and parishioners to
be alert to anything which might put children at risk of harm and I
encourage anyone who has a concern, a suspicion or knowledge of abuse to
speak to the trained safeguarding personnel in our schools and
dioceses, or to report them directly to An Garda Síochána or to Tusla.