Priest molested 10 girls on the altar
The sanctity of the parish church in Monageer, Co Wexford, was shattered by a priest who molested 10 girls on the altar as he heard their confessions, the Ferns Inquiry revealed today.
Kneeling on red cushions the youngsters aged 12 and 13 were fondled and kissed by Father James Grennan who called them up one by one to forgive their sins.
As he sat on a chair in front of each girl preparing to abuse them, the rest of the class was forced to sit in their seats with their eyes shut.
Fr Grennan pulled each girl closed to him, he rubbed his mouth and tongue around their faces, lips and ears. He put his hands up their skirts and fondled their legs and bodies through their clothes, the report revealed.
Girls related being petrified by the priest, his dirty and scruffy appearance and the stench of alcohol and cigarettes that came off him.
Fr Grennan told them that by closing their eyes while in God’s house they were showing respect. He said that if they prayed with their eyes shut their prayers would go straight to heaven.
The girls confided in the principal of Monageer National School, Pat Higgins, about the assaults in April 1988. Mr Higgins contacted the South Eastern Health Board who sent a social worker to speak to the girls.
In May 1988 Dr Geraldine Nolan, director of the newly established Validation Unit in Waterford, interviewed the girls. Only seven of the 10 met Dr Nolan. Parents of the other three refused to let them speak with her.
The inquiry, relaying sections of the report compiled by Dr Nolan, revealed that the girls were very scared at confession time.
The report stated Fr Grennan would chastise any child who opened their eyes during confession.
Detailing the abuse the report said the priest would grab the child’s hands in his and pull them towards his groin.
While the zip on his trousers was often half down, the girls never alleged the priest had forced their hands inside.
One girl who was molested in the vestry, parochial house and again while preparing for Confirmation walked out of the Confirmation ceremony in Monageer, the report stated.
Fr Grennan appeared at the side of Bishop Brendan Comiskey during the ceremony even though parents had been given assurances that he would not be there.
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