ARDAGH AND CLONMACNOIS: THE BISHOP of Ardagh and Clonmacnois spoke of his “immense relief” Wednesday, after he was commended over his handling of clerical child abuse allegations in the diocese.
Dr Colm O’Reilly said his relief was, however, tempered by the knowledge that “people who suffered because of wrongdoing by church personnel will be affected by having to think again about an experience that pained them deeply.
“I want to express my sorrow at how they have been made to suffer and I want to welcome any contact which any person who is feeling distressed at this time would make with me or with the diocesan delegate for safeguarding children,” he remarked.
The bishop expressed his heartfelt thanks to the diocesan child safeguarding committee and the “huge number of lay people” who assist in the diocese.
“To have it over and done and behind us is an immense relief,” Dr O’Reilly admitted. He also welcomed the recommendation to appoint lay people as diocesan delegates.
The role of a delegated person entails dealing with complainants, compiling files on allegations and liaising with relevant authorities.
Describing the role of a delegated person as “unenviable” for many priests, Dr O’Reilly said in a small diocese a priest could potentially end up with “his best friend named”.
Fourteen allegations involving 13 priests were made to gardaí in the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois between January 1st, 1975, and April 2011.
The diocese covers most of counties Longford and Leitrim, along with parts of Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Roscommon and Sligo.
Only one priest who faced allegations is still alive. He is no longer ministering.
Another, who has since died, was the only priest to have been convicted in the courts.
A further two priests who faced allegations in the diocese did not come under Dr O’Reilly’s jurisdiction. These priests had resided in the diocese but were not ministering in it.
The review of safeguarding practice by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church found Dr O’Reilly and his designated person had kept up-to-date and comprehensive files and promptly notified statutory authorities of allegations.
“Bishop O’Reilly displays a gentle, caring approach, but with great wisdom and honesty,” the review found, “and this, alongside a determined resolve by the designated person, ensures that allegations are addressed in full.”
The bishop and his designated person had developed an appreciation and understanding of the nature of risks posed by individuals who may have caused harm to a child, the review noted.
It went on to say: “A great deal has been learned as a result of experience by both the bishop and the designated person, who present as being aware of and sensitive to these issues.”
Dr O’Reilly and his designated person were also acknowledged for accessing the services of specialist assessment centres and risk assessors in identifying and managing risk.
The establishment of a new complaints post, designed to deal with bullying and other issues within the church, was also commended in the review.
A number of recommendations were made in relation to the review findings. All nine recommendations have been satisfactorily met by the safeguarding committee.
These included the establishment of biannual meetings with gardaí and the HSE, the replacement of the designated person with a lay individual and the appointment of a second designated person, preferably a lay woman.
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