Cloyne priests say they were 'let down' by abusive minority

PRIESTS OF Cloyne diocese have expressed “anger and outrage” at findings in the Cloyne report published last July and particularly…

PRIESTS OF Cloyne diocese have expressed “anger and outrage” at findings in the Cloyne report published last July and particularly at the manner in which abuse allegations were handled by their former leadership team of Bishop John Magee and Msgr Denis O’Callaghan.

In a statement yesterday, issued on behalf of the Apostolic Administrator to Cloyne diocese, Archbishop Dermot Clifford of Cashel, the priests told a meeting earlier this week that “they felt badly let down and expressed great sympathy for the survivors of child sexual abuse who were so badly hurt by a minority of priests.”

A meeting of child safeguarding parish representatives in Cloyne is to take place Blarney, Co Cork, today. A large number of priests of the diocese are expected to attend, along with parishioners.

An extensive review of the child safeguarding measures that have taken place in the diocese is be a significant part of the meeting.

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About 80 priests of the diocese attended the meeting last Tuesday, which was convened to discuss the Cloyne report.

Welcomed by Archbishop Clifford, they spent some time “discussing their reactions to the report when it was published and the reaction of the people, the impact on the Catholic Church in the diocese, and nationally, and how the mission of the church can be further implemented in the future,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the High Court has ruled that redacted parts of the Cloyne report cannot be published before December 16th.

A chapter in the report was redacted before it was published on July 13th last, after the court was told that publication could prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings.

President of the High Court Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns said yesterday he had received an application from lawyers for the Minister for Justice to continue the redactions to December 16th.