In a review of the Diocese of Kerry by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church, it emerged that a total of 67 allegations of abuse were received by in the county since 1975 and all complaints were brought to the attention of the relevant authorities. KillarneyToday.com examines the reaction of the church authorities locally
Child sex abuse has caused incalculable, lifelong damage to innocent young people and their families and the suffering they have had to endure has been truly horrific, Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, has said.
The abuse is even more disgraceful when perpetrated by a person who holds a position of trust in the Christian community and the bishop told of his upset for those who suffered at the hands of priests.
“Abuse of a child in any form is evil. It is a serious crime and a grave sin.
“I have met and listened to survivors of abuse and I am horrified at the abuse they have suffered and how it has profoundly affected their lives.
“To any person who has been abused by a priest or anyone else in the Diocese of Kerry, and to their families and friends, I want to express my sincere sorrow and regret that such crimes were committed,” he said.
“Even one person abused is a tragedy and a heartbreak that shames us as a Christian people and as a church community.”
Bishop Browne, who was ordained bishop last July, was commenting following the publication of a review of policies in the Diocese of Kerry by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church.
A total of 67 allegations of abuse were received by the Diocese of Kerry since 1975 and all complaints were brought to the attention of the relevant authorities.
The review team said one case that still gives cause for concern relates to a priest dismissed from the clerical state at his own request who moved to another part of the country to take up a job in which he had contact with young people.
Four complaints had been made against him when he lived in Kerry with allegations that he had seriously sexually assaulted minors in his care at a children’s home to which he had access at the invitation of the manager. Following a garda investigation into the case, the DPP ruled that no prosecution should take place but the Diocese of Kerry has no knowledge of what has been done to protect children he encounters as the statutory authorities have no obligation to keep the bishop informed.
A second Kerry case examined by the review team involved a priest against whom 25 allegations have been made since his death with the expectation that additional complaints will made going forward.
The cleric had access to all Catholic primary schools through his role as diocesan inspector in the 1950s and 1960s.
One of the key recommendations put forward by the review team was that the Diocese of Kerry must establish and maintain a register of visiting and retired priests and ensure that all vetting checks and references have been sought prior to allowing them to participate in any public ministry.
The independent objective assessment found that, in general, clerical sex abuse cases in Kerry have been appropriately managed with Bishop Bill Murphy, who retired last year, meeting his responsibilities well and providing leadership when implementing improved practices.
Although some concern was expressed about a lack of written policies and poor handling of reports of abuse by some priests, the review of diocesan files found that great progress has been made in Kerry in terms of establishing robust safeguarding policies and procedures.
An extensive network of safeguarding officials in the diocese, including 130 designated parish representatives, ensure that complaints or concerns with regard to child abuse are dealt with in a prompt, sensitive and professional manner, in conjunction with the HSE and Gardai.
