Abuse a 'tragic reality' that needs prevention: Bishop of Limerick
The Bishop of Limerick Dr Donal Murray has said that child abuse has been a sad and tragic reality and everything possible must be done to ensure that it does not happen again.
In a statement referred to by priests today across the Limerick diocese, Bishop Murray told congregations that the level of hurt that now exists in society due to child abuse cannot be measured.
In response to the publication of the Ferns report, the Limerick Diocese has revealed details of its structures in place to protect children.
The Child Protection Committee of the Limerick Diocese meets monthly to provide training in the area of child protection for every parish. Two members of the committee are qualified as child protection officers for the diocese and some 18 people are being trained as facilitators in the area of child protection.
Bishop Murray compared the current structures in place to protect children to the parable of the Good Samaritan.
“We must not, like the priest and Levite in the parable, pass by on the other side, failing to see somebody’s suffering because we are too wrapped up in our own business to notice. To be a Good Samaritan means being available to listen, to learn, to understand and to offer wholehearted help,” he said.
The Catholic Church in Limerick has confirmed that allegations of child sexual abuse have been brought against 10 priests in the diocese over a 50-year period from 1955.
Three of those priests are dead, one is currently before the courts and the DPP has decided not to proceed with two of the cases.
The Limerick Diocese also confirmed that it has not made any financial settlements with any of the complainants and none of the priests at the centre of the allegations are in active ministry.
