I wish to express my absolute horror at the report in today’s Irish Examiner that a statement taken from someone detailing allegations of child sexual abuse by a Catholic priest may have been passed from the Child Protection Delegate in the Diocese of Cloyne to the accused priest. At the very least such an act would represent an appalling act of betrayal of the trust any alleged victim would show in bringing allegations to the attention of any Diocese in the first place.
I am pleased to learn that this allegation has been brought to the attention of the ongoing Commission of Investigation as this is a body in which I have an enormous amount of respect and trust.
I would like to take the opportunity to urge any victims of child sexual abuse by priests to seek legal advice from appropriate sources and/or support from organisations such as OneInFour rather than bring allegations to the attention of any Diocese on their own.
END 25/06/10
