Bishop of Cloyne urges abuse victims to come forward
The Bishop of Cloyne William Crean has urged those who have been abused in the diocese to come forward and tell their stories.
His appeal comes after a new report revealed that at least 11 people have made complaints to the diocese since 2013, alleging abuse or inappropriate behaviour by priests.
The Irish Examiner reports that since the previous review in 2013, three more priests have been removed from ministry, bringing the total to five priests now suspended.
The Diocese of Cloyne was at the centre of a child abuse scandal in 2009, and was heavily criticised in the 2011 Cloyne Report for it’s handling of child abuse allegations against 19 clerics dating back over 20 years.
The latest report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, reviewed allegations surrounding six Cloyne-based priests and three from other Church bodies.
The report said complainants received a compassionate response from the diocese after disclosing abuse, and in some instances availed of funding for counselling from the diocese.
Three complainants had negative experiences at the time of disclosure but subsequently they all spoke positively of support they later received from two religious sisters known to them.
The report commended the diocese for improvements made since the last report and noted that all eight recommendations were implemented in the nine-year period.
The report concluded that the Cloyne Diocese now has skilled personnel and effective systems in place to manage all aspects of safeguarding
Meanwhile in a letter to the diocese, Bishop William Crean urged those who have been abused to step forward and tell their stories with the diocese or statutory authorities.
