A VICTIM of child sex abuse who runs a support group for other survivors in Co Donegal has called on Bishop Philip Boyce to resign.
John O’Donnell says Dr Boyce’s defence of both Cardinal Sean Brady and former bishop Seamus Hegarty has made his position ‘completely untenable.’
Mr O’Donnell told donegaldaily.com: “I have met Philip Boyce twice about how this diocese has handled the abuse of children by priests and I remain deeply unsatisfied with what I heard.
“I believe Bishop Boyce’s defence of the role of Cardinal Sean Brady in the Brendan Smyth affair and his defence of the role of his predecessor Seamus Hegarty during his interview this week on Raidio na Gaeltachta makes his position completely untenable.
“In my opinion Bishop Boyce has attempted to defend the indefensible.”
During the radio interview the Raphoe Bishop said that the Cardinal had “did what he had to do at the time when he gave all the information he gathered to his superiors.”
Bishop Boyce also said his predecessor Bishop Hegarty carried out his work well in his role here.
However it’s understood damning evidence against Bishop Hegarty was removed from this week’s BBC documentary because he is ill and its broadcast by the BBC could not go ahead without a right of reply, under their guidelines, and Bishop Hegarty’s illness prevents him from being able to do that.
Cardinal Brady’s position remains precarious because of his decision to follow church guidelines in 1975 when he interviewed Brendan Boland, a victim of paedophile priest Father Brendan Smyth.
The BBC said the cardinal failed to inform the police – and even failed to inform the parents of other boys and girls who were abused by Smyth.
Attempts by the Catholic Church to claim that the Cardinal did not offer to stand down two years ago have been rubbished again today with widespread reports that the Cardinal did in fact offer to leave his post. This was turned down by the Vatican.
John O’Donnell said today: “Cardinal Brady should do the right thing and resign. Bishop Boyce has failed to grasp how Cardinal Brady let down children whose abuse continued. Bishop Boyce should also resign.”
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