THE CATHOLIC diocese of Derry has announced that a priest there has requested, and been granted, administrative leave while an issue of safeguarding children is being investigated.
The priest “has and continues to co-operate fully with the civil authorities, as has the diocese”, a statement on the Derry diocesan website said yesterday.
It continued that “the paramount concern of the diocese is, and will continue to be, the safety and welfare of children”.
It also said: “The diocese also encourages any person who has a concern about any safeguarding matters in the church context to report these to the civil authorities or to the diocesan designated officer, who will assist with any contact with the civil authorities”.
The statement said “it would be inappropriate to comment any further. While this process is ongoing the priest is entitled to the benefit of a presumption of innocence”.
Last weekend a priest of Armagh archdiocese agreed to step down from ministry in his parish to allow for an investigation into a complaint relating to “child safeguarding”.
Armagh auxiliary bishop Gerard Clifford spoke to the priest’s congregation on Saturday after celebrating vigil Mass at the parish. A statement explaining the matter was also read out to parishioners on Sunday.
It said: “This week the archdiocese has been made aware of a complaint relating to child safeguarding against a priest of the diocese. The priest has agreed to voluntarily step down to allow the investigation into this matter to be conducted efficiently.
“The allegation has been reported to the civil authorities, and the diocese and the priest will fully co-operate with any investigation.”