Church Watchdog Critical Of Former Bishop's Handling Of Abuse Claims

A former bishop has been criticised after a report was published into claims of child abuse allegations and the behaviour of priests.

The National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBCS) in the Catholic Church has published audits of many dioceses.

Dr Joseph Duffy said he regretted the management of some cases.

The report into Clogher is one of seven being released by the watchdog.

Ian Elliot, head of the Catholic church watchdog, noted an "unacceptable delay" in removing a priest from ministry after a credible child abuse allegation.

There was also another case where a priest suspected of multiple abuse was not removed from ministry but transferred to another parish and eventually sent overseas for therapy.

He remained outside the jurisdiction and was eventually extradited back to Ireland several years later but died before he could be he could be brought to trial.

The report found: "In a number of cases, allegations emerged against priests following their death making it impossible for any investigation to take place.

"The impression formed by the reviewers of past practice was that the response to abuse concerns was often unsatisfactory and that risky behaviour was not addressed as strongly as it should have been."

Between 1975 and November 2012, allegations were made against 13 priests in the diocese. Altogether, 23 allegations were reported to the garda and 22 to the HSE. Only three priests against whom allegations were made were alive at the time of the review. Two priests have been convicted of committing an offence against a child. One remains in ministry or retired from ministry, two left the priesthood or are out of ministry.

The seven NBSC reports published today included the dioceses of Killala, Elphin, Galway, Ferns, Waterford & Lismore, and Clogher.

Chief executive of the National Board for Safeguarding Children Ian Elliot, who is leaving the organisation later this year, said he hopes 35 audits will have been published by the end of the year, which will include all 26 dioceses.

(CD/H)