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21/05/2009
'No Names' In Catholic Abuse Report
The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland has said anyone responsible for abusing children in Catholic-run institutions should be "held to account".
The church's most senior cleric has also apologised for the abuse and neglect inflicted on young children by Catholic priests and nuns.
The harrowing incidents were brought to light following a report by the Child Abuse Commission in the Republic, which yesterday slammed the abuse, but failed to name any of those responsible.
Cardinal Sean Brady was responding to the long-awaited report published on Wednesday which found thousands of boys and girls were abused.
"If there is evidence that could lead to prosecution that should be brought forward," he said.
"Certainly people must be held responsible for their actions."
The Armagh-based Cardinal said: "This report makes it clear that great wrong and hurt were caused to some of the most vulnerable children in our society.
"It documents a shameful catalogue of cruelty, neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, perpetrated against children.
"I am profoundly sorry and deeply ashamed that children suffered in such awful ways in these institutions."
He added: "Children deserved better and especially from those caring for them in the name of Jesus Christ."
The report, nine years in the making and covering a period of six decades, also found government inspectors failed to stop beatings, rapes and humiliation.
However, the findings will not be used for criminal prosecutions - in part because the Christian Brothers successfully sued the commission in 2004 to keep the identities of all of its members, dead or alive - unnamed in the report.
As a result, no real names, whether of victims or perpetrators, appear in the final document.
(BMcC/JM)
The church's most senior cleric has also apologised for the abuse and neglect inflicted on young children by Catholic priests and nuns.
The harrowing incidents were brought to light following a report by the Child Abuse Commission in the Republic, which yesterday slammed the abuse, but failed to name any of those responsible.
Cardinal Sean Brady was responding to the long-awaited report published on Wednesday which found thousands of boys and girls were abused.
"If there is evidence that could lead to prosecution that should be brought forward," he said.
"Certainly people must be held responsible for their actions."
The Armagh-based Cardinal said: "This report makes it clear that great wrong and hurt were caused to some of the most vulnerable children in our society.
"It documents a shameful catalogue of cruelty, neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, perpetrated against children.
"I am profoundly sorry and deeply ashamed that children suffered in such awful ways in these institutions."
He added: "Children deserved better and especially from those caring for them in the name of Jesus Christ."
The report, nine years in the making and covering a period of six decades, also found government inspectors failed to stop beatings, rapes and humiliation.
However, the findings will not be used for criminal prosecutions - in part because the Christian Brothers successfully sued the commission in 2004 to keep the identities of all of its members, dead or alive - unnamed in the report.
As a result, no real names, whether of victims or perpetrators, appear in the final document.
(BMcC/JM)
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16 April 2010
State Meets Church To Agree Abuse Cash
The Dublin Government is to establish a statutory fund for former residents of church institutions with €110m in cash, which religious orders intend to contribute towards over the next few years. It has asked the 18 Catholic orders, in whose care children were abused, to increase their latest property-and-cash offer by more than €200m.
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21 July 2011
Taoiseach Issues Statement On Cloyne Report
The Taoiseach has released a statement on the Dáil Motion regarding the report of the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne. He said the revelations of the Cloyne report brought the Government, Irish Catholics and the Vatican to “an unprecedented juncture”.
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Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
