DROMORE: AN EXCESSIVE concentration on child abuse in the Catholic Church risks problems with abuse in other areas of society being missed, Bishop John McAreavey of Dromore has warned.
Bishop McAreavey said it was important the church adhered to higher standards than anyone else in relation to child protection. However, there was a danger in focusing exclusively or predominantly on the church, because other dangers to children might not be “kept in the picture”.
Abusers came from all walks of life, said Dr McAreavey, who was speaking in Newry after the publication of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church review of practices in his diocese.
The review said 35 allegations of child sexual abuse were made against priests of the diocese but no priest has been convicted, according to the review of safeguarding practice in the diocese.
The 23-page document says the board does not believe there are any priests inappropriately in ministry and against whom credible allegations have been made. It said that in the past, Bishop McAreavey reported all allegations to the statutory authorities, but in some instances “this should have been done more promptly”.
The report recommends the bishop hold annual meetings with the social services and the police, and that he should write to all complainants offering them support and counselling.
When a priest is removed from public ministry, the bishop should set down in writing the restrictions imposed on him.
Bishop McAreavey said he accepted all the recommendations.
Most had already been implemented and the remaining ones would be implemented “as a matter of urgency”.
He said he accepted that in some cases he could have acted more quickly.
In these cases, the information that came forward was “sketchy”.
Allegations have been made against 10 priests in the Dromore diocese since 1975, of whom seven are alive and three are dead.
A total of 35 allegations have been made to the RUC or PSNI in respect of these priests.
Dromore is a small diocese taking in Co Down and part of Co Armagh.
Seven priests against whom allegations were made are out of ministry or have left the priesthood. No priest against whom an allegation was made is still in ministry or retired.
Although three prosecutions in respect of two priests were begun, there have been no convictions of priests of the diocese for offences against children or young people since 1975.
The board’s fieldwork team examined the cases of all 10 priests against whom allegations were made and noted the seriousness of the allegations. It said it was satisfied all had been referred to the statutory authorities.
Bishop McAreavey attributed the improved performance of the diocese to the setting up of the board, better relations with the statutory authorities in the North and the leadership of lay people in safeguarding children.
The report said he dealt with many of the victims.
“The reviewers were impressed by the personal interest Bishop McAreavey has taken in supporting these victims and their families.”
It says the records show that “in the past” there was a strong reliance on legal advice.
“There is a place for legal advice but care must be taken to also ensure that other sources of guidance are appropriately drawn upon as well.”
The report says it is also clear that in the past not all allegations were promptly referred to the statutory investigating agencies.
It says it is evident from the records that Bishop McAreavey was distressed by the allegations of abuse.
“He reviewed previous cases referred to the former bishop and in some instances renewed contact with complainants whose cases may not have been appropriately managed.”
“It is not uncommon from those against whom allegations have been made to try and resist the necessary safeguarding actions. To his credit where these attempts were made, Bishop McAreavey consulted appropriately to ensure the safety of children remained his priority.”
Although diocesan procedures on safeguarding children are being redrafted to ensure they are in line with national standards within the church, the report concludes from sight of an early draft they will meet the required standards.
Bishop McAreavey was appointed in 1999.
The board said it recognised the considerable personal pressure on the bishop as a result of the murder of a family member and the consequent media attention.
This is a reference to the killing of Michaela Harte, a relative of Bishop McAreavey, in Mauritius, last year.
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