The following is the full text of a statement issued by the Dublin Diocese last night in relation to last Thursday's Prime Time programme
"Cardinal Connell takes this opportunity to restate some points he made in his letter to the people of the diocese of 5th/6th October last:
"Incalculable harm has been done to those who were abused. Further scandal has undoubtedly been caused by the fact that, having approached the Church in expectation of the best possible care and the most sympathetic response, some people suffered further hurt. We have been slow to understand the depth of their trauma and the nature of their needs."
"To them, above all, I want to apologise again from my heart for the terrible betrayal they have suffered. I do so in my own name, with a keen sense of our failures to deal more adequately with the problem, as well as in the name of all of us who in any way represent the Church.
"I deeply regret the mistakes I have made in seeking to come to grips with the problem. In many instances we did not act with the necessary speed and decisiveness. For these failures we ask for forgiveness. Our paramount concern must be the protection of children and the task of ensuring that the Church follows the best possible practice in regard to this vitally important matter. Clearly, we will willingly respond to any recommendations the Hussey Commission may make in that regard, in the same way that we will submit ourselves to its fully informed, properly measured and objective judgment on the matters it has undertaken to examine.
"I will respond fully to any and every question the commission may wish to put to me and it will have my complete co-operation."
We would also like to clarify the following points:
Father Noel Reynolds: Having retired from his appointment as parish priest of Glendalough on health grounds, Father Noel Reynolds was appointed chaplain to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in 1997. We sincerely regret not informing the hospital authorities about concerns expressed regarding Father Reynolds in 1995. These concerns related to his inappropriate behaviour with children.
We fully accept that we should have informed the hospital authorities about the concerns raised at the time of his appointment.
The first complaint of child sexual abuse was made against Father Reynolds in 1998. He was then removed from ministry.
Compensation Claims: We wish to clarify that the total number of civil claims settled by Dublin Archdiocese in relation to child sexual abuse by priests of the diocese is 26. A further 26 claims are outstanding.
Father Ivan Payne: We wish to clarify that Cardinal Connell did not promote or appoint Father Ivan Payne to the appointment of vice officials of the Dublin Regional Marriage Tribunal. This appointment was made in 1985.
Father Patrick Hughes: When Cardinal Connell sent a letter of reference on behalf of Father Hughes to the United States in 1988, he had no knowledge whatever of a previous complaint against him dating back to 1974. Neither was there any account of the previous complaint in diocesan files. We fully acknowledge that the failure to have such a record was a serious deficiency.
Father Tony Walsh: Gardaí were contacted in March 1992 when Tony Walsh returned from the Gracewell Clinic in England. Mgr Alex Stenson wrote to the gardaí indicating the address at which Tony Walsh was residing. The letter also stated 'in view of Father Walsh's behaviour in the past, you might give this information whatever attention you may think it requires'.
Bishop Dermot O'Mahony: It has been suggested that gardaí had difficulty contacting Auxiliary Bishop Dermot O'Mahony in 1997. At this time, he was in the US convalescing from heart surgery. Below is a statement issued by Bishop O'Mahony on 28th April 1998 to the Star newspaper:
"In its report of yesterday the Star stated that the gardaí made 'at least six attempts' to speak with me in 1997 but that 'I never made any statement to the gardaí at any time'.
However, I wish to state that I was unable to speak to the gardaí during their investigation of the Ivan Payne case because I was convalescing in the USA after a serious illness. The gardaí did make an attempt to contact me on numerous occasions but an equivalent number of unsuccessful attempts at contact was made by my office.
"When my secretary finally spoke to Det Sgt Sherry, she explained the difficulty of my illness to him. Det Sgt Sherry kindly said that he would speak to the DPP and explain my present unavailability. He also said that he would let her know the outcome of this consultation. But there was no further contact from the gardaí."