Bishop of Ferns issues unreserved apology
The Bishop of Ferns has issued an unreserved apology to the victims of clerical sex abuse in the diocese.
Dr Eamon Walsh said this evening that the findings of the official inquiry contained horrific accounts that had shattered trust in the Catholic Church.
His two predecessors, Brendan Comiskey and Donal Herlihy, are criticised for failing to fully investigate allegations against 21 priests.
The South Eastern Health Board failed to provide support to victims in some cases while gardaí were found to be reluctant to properly investigate cases of abuse.
Bishop Walsh said he was horrified following publication of the report: “All I can say is that this report has horrific accounts and, even though I’ve been dealing with this for years, when you read such a litany of horrible gross abuse and rape all condensed together it leaves you speechless,” he said.
The Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan, said he accepted the recommendations of the Ferns Inquiry in principle and that he was committed to their implementation.
Releasing the report, the Minister condemned the repeated failure and gross dereliction of duties of those in positions of trust in the Diocese of Ferns.
He said recommendations for legislative changes would be considered and followed up as a matter of urgency.
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