Opportunities for the Catholic Church to step in and tackle child abuse in the Clogher diocese – which covers two parishes in Donegal – were consistently missed, according to a report out today.
The church’s National Board for Safeguarding Children has published its report as part of the ongoing audits of dioceses across Ireland.
It said claims were made against 13 priests in the diocese over almost four decades.
Two of the priests were subsequently jailed.
The report said that under the current Bishop of Clogher, Dr Liam McDaid, the issue of safeguarding children is effectively prioritised in the diocese.
Dr McDaid succeeded Dr Joseph Duffy as bishop in 2010. Dr Duffy had been Bishop of Clogher for 31 years.
The report says 22 allegations were reported to Irish police involving priests in the diocese between 1 January 1975 up to November 2012.
In one case, the report says, there was “an unacceptable delay” in taking action against a priest after what it describes as “a credible allegation”.
In another, a priest suspected of being a serial abuser was not removed from ministry but instead moved to another parish and then sent overseas.
He was eventually extradited back to Ireland after several years but died before he could be brought before a court.
Those responsible for the report said that they would “draw a line between the practice of the diocese today and some of the practice that existed previously”.
“The impression formed by the reviewers of past practice was that the response to abuse concerns was often unsatisfactory and that risky behaviour was not addressed as strongly as it should have been,” they said.
Seven key recommendations have been made as a result of the report.
The diocese of Clogher covers Monaghan, most of Fermanagh and parts of Tyrone, Donegal, Cavan and Louth.
It is made up of 37 parishes and served by over 80 priests. Just two parishes are in Donegal – Pettigo and Magh Ene.
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