Commission finds Church covered up child sex abuse

Eyepopper · 26th November 2009, 15:51

Quote:

The Commission of Investigation into Dublin’s Catholic Archdiocese has concluded that there is “no doubt” that clerical child sexual abuse was covered up by the archdiocese and other Church authorities.

The commission’s report covers the period between January 1st 1975 and April 30th 2004. It said there cover-ups took place over much of this period.

In its report, published this afternoon, it has also found that “the structures and rules of the Catholic Church facilitated that cover-up.”

It also found that “the State authorities facilitated the cover-up by not fulfilling their responsibilities to ensure that the law was applied equally to all and allowing the Church institutions to be beyond the reach of the normal law enforcement processes.”

Over the period within its remit “the welfare of children, which should have been the first priority, was not even a factor to be considered in the early stages,” it said.

“Instead the focus was on the avoidance of scandal and the preservation of the good name, status and assets of the institution and of what the institution regarded as its most important members – the priests,” it said.

In making its main findings, the report it concluded that “it is the responsibility of the State to ensure that no similar institutional immunity is ever allowed to occur again. This can be ensured only if all institutions are open to scrutiny and not accorded an exempted status by any organs of the State.”

The Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation was set up on March 28th, 2006. It completed its report on July 21st last when it was presented to the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern.

Since then it has been sent twice to the High Court as there were concerns that publication of its contents in full might prejudice current proceedings against two men who face allegations of abuse and which it had investigated.

Following edits to the report, made by Mr Justice Paul Gilligan, the report was finally cleared for publication last Thursday.

The commission investigated allegations made against a sample of 46 priests, out of a total of 102 relevant to the period, and against whom 320 complaints had been made.

Where individual Archbishops of Dublin were concerned it found that Archbishop John Charles McQuaid - who held office from 1940 to 1972 - did not apply canon law where such allegations were concerned, though he was familiar with its requirements.

His dealings with Fr Edmondus in 1960 “were aimed at the avoidance of scandal and showed no concern for the welfare of children.”

Archbishop Dermot Ryan - who held office from 1972 to 1984 - “failed to properly investigate complaints” against any of the six priests dealt with by the Commission from his period in office. “He also ignored the advice given by a psychiatrist in the case of another priest (Fr Henry Moore) that he had placed in a parish setting.” It found that Fr Moore was subsequently convicted of a serious assault on a young teenager while working as a parish curate.

Archbishop Ryan also seemed to have adopted “a deliberate policy” to ensure that knowledge of problems involving accused priests “was as restricted as possible.” This resulted “in a disastrous lack of co-ordination in responding to problems.”

Archbishop Kevin McNamara - who held office from 1984 to 1987 - restored to ministry a priest, Fr Bill Carney, despite his having pleaded guilty to charges of child sex abuse in 1983 and despite suspicions about him where “numerous” other children were concerned. Fr Carney has since been laicized.

Archbishop McNamara also appointed Fr Ivan Payne, also since laicized, as Vice-Officialis of the Marriage Tribunal in Dublin even though Archbishop Ryan had previously refused to do so.

It was Archbishop McNamara who was first to take out insurance against possible claims for child abuse. He did so in March 1987 and all Catholic dioceses on the island of Ireland followed suit, excepting one.

Cardinal Desmond Connell, who held office as Archbishop from 1988 to April 2004, “was slow to recognise the seriousness of the situation” on assuming office. He was “over-reliant” on the advice of other people. While “clearly appalled by the abuse” it took him some time “to realize that it could not be dealt with by keeping it secret and protecting priests from normal civil processes.”

He showed “little understanding of the overall plight of victims” some of whom found him “remote and aloof” and some “sympathetic and kind.”

However, and “on the other hand he did take an active interest in their civil litigation against the Archdiocese and personally approved the defences which were filed by the Archdiocese.”

Liability for injury and damage “was never admitted.” His strategies in civil cases, “while legally acceptable, often added to the hurt and grief of complainants.”

The latest Clerical Sex Abuse report in Ireland which concludes that the powers that be within the church, knew about and actively covered up the rape and abuse of children while trying to protect the church and rapists responsible.

Damning, but if the truth be told this is only what the people of Ireland have known for decades.

'Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth' - Einstein

Plechazunga · 26th November 2009, 16:06

The Commission has also concluded that there is "no doubt" the Pope is a Catholic.

PJ · 26th November 2009, 16:11

No excuse for it.

Eyepopper · 26th November 2009, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJ

No excuse for it.

Not now that its out of the closet PJ.

They had plenty of excuses before that.

I was just listening to a man on the radio whose family had to move out of the parish they'd lived in all their lives because the Bishop labelled them liars when their 10 year old son accused one of the priests of abuse.

Kraftwerker · 26th November 2009, 17:08

Just what kind of grip did/do the Catholic Church have on Ireland?

Sickening how it was allowed to go on for so long.

niMic · 26th November 2009, 17:13

Religion.

Eyepopper · 26th November 2009, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kraftwerker

Just what kind of grip did/do the Catholic Church have on Ireland?

Sickening how it was allowed to go on for so long.

They were pretty much beyond question and above the law, up to say the early 90's.

They were also pretty much solely responsible for state education taking the burden away from the state.... a position which was massively abused and used to further their grip on society.

Things like condoms and Playboy were illegal up to the 90's in Ireland, primarily due to the influence of the catholic church.

adexkola · 26th November 2009, 18:07

Eyepopper bashing the Catholic Church shocker

Eyepopper · 26th November 2009, 18:12

Yeah, I commissioned that enquiry and wrote the report.

Its the biggest news story in Ireland today.

niMic · 26th November 2009, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by adexkola

Eyepopper bashing the Catholic Church shocker

The Catholic Church child sex abuse shocker

F-Red · 26th November 2009, 19:30

Disgraceful.

adexkola · 26th November 2009, 19:46

Just busting your balls

It is shameful

x42bn6 · 26th November 2009, 19:57

I think it's startling at the extent of the abuse, not just in Ireland, personally. How Christian values from young can drive a priest to do such terrible things. Yes I'm aware that this is likely a small fraction of priests and we should not overgeneralise, but the systematic coverup of these cases is shocking and I am wondering if there is something more deeply rotten by priests turning to such shameful acts.

peterstorey · 26th November 2009, 20:08

It's largely the result of them being denied a normal outlet for sex.

Kraftwerker · 26th November 2009, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterstorey

It's largely the result of them being denied a normal outlet for sex.

Not to mention the fact that paedophiles are probably attracted to the Catholic church due to access to children.

Dresilved · 26th November 2009, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterstorey

It's largely the result of them being denied a normal outlet for sex.

This sounds like the most reasonable answer to this issue

Dresilved · 26th November 2009, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kraftwerker

Not to mention the fact that paedophiles are probably attracted to the Catholic church due to access to children.

I'm guessing that rabbis, imams, ministers all have as much access to children as their catholic counterparts, yet it seems like its mostly priests doing this stuff

711 · 27th November 2009, 00:08

At least we know it only happened in Ireland, because if it happened anywhere else in the world then the catholic hierarchy would have had something to say about it, right?

peterstorey · 27th November 2009, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dresilved

I'm guessing that rabbis, imams, ministers all have as much access to children as their catholic counterparts, yet it seems like its mostly priests doing this stuff

Catholicism is the only religion that promotes celibacy as the preferred path. Rabbis, imams and ministers can all get married.

Crerand Legend · 27th November 2009, 00:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by 711

At least we know it only happened in Ireland, because if it happened anywhere else in the world then the catholic hierarchy would have had something to say about it, right?

No,its a world wide prob and not just a catholic one although we the Catholics seem have alot more than our share and sadly the scandal wont shake the ultra conservatives who run the church into doing something radical to rid itself of these evil people.I sometimes wonder do these paedos who become Priests think because they dont fancy ladies that it is a calling to the priesthood
Anyhow I was disappointed today that no mention was made to charge Bishops who allowed Priests to minister despite knowing that they were Paedos and Garda/Government officals who helped cover the tracks of these evil people.Surely theirs is also a jailable offence.Those who are dead should also be named and shamed and I fancy that would go right to the top in Irish Politics including one huge name who cleaned up mess after mess in the Catholic church

Wibble · 27th November 2009, 01:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterstorey

It's largely the result of them being denied a normal outlet for sex.

That and being the perfect job for a gay paedo in that he has access to lots of boys without supervision and doesn't have to shag women nor come out as gay.

Add in that it is run by people who not only have no interest in stopping it but actually go out of their way to cover it all up irrespective of the harm that is being done you can see the attraction for the gay paedo demographic.

F-Red · 27th November 2009, 02:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wibble

That and being the perfect job for a gay paedo in that he has access to lots of boys without supervision and doesn't have to shag women nor come out as gay.

Add in that it is run by people who not only have no interest in stopping it but actually go out of their way to cover it all up irrespective of the harm that is being done you can see the attraction for the gay paedo demographic.

They have no interest in stopping it because they don't recognise any form of homosexual act. Typical head-in-sand moment from the church

Moriarty · 27th November 2009, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dresilved

I'm guessing that rabbis, imams, ministers all have as much access to children as their catholic counterparts, yet it seems like its mostly priests doing this stuff

Supports Peter Storey's point. Vicars, rabbis and imams are permitted to marry whereas Roman priests are forbidden to do so.

Eyepopper · 27th November 2009, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by x42bn6

Yes I'm aware that this is likely a small fraction of priests and we should not overgeneralise,

The fact that it may have been only a small percentage of priests actually raping children is irrelevant because the Churches official policy on claims of abuse was to keep them in house and secret so the number of claims wouldn't have mattered they would've all been dealt with in the same way.

Guess who oversaw application of that policy

Quote:

In 2001, then-Cardinal Ratziner issued an edict instructing bishops around the world to turn over all allegations of sexual abuse of children to the Vatican alone — thus leaving local law enforcement out of the loop.

This edict was supposed to be kept so secret that had to be stored in a locked safe at all times. Some are arguing that this edict was a key step in Catholic efforts to cover up sexual abuse all over the world, and therefore that the current Pope Benedict XVI bears significant personal responsibility for not only the cover up, but the fact that this cover up allowed sexual abuse to continue.

The document recommended that rather than reporting sexual abuse to the relevant legal authorities, bishops should encourage the victim, witnesses and perpetrator not to talk about it. And, to keep victims quiet, it threatened that if they repeat the allegations they would be excommunicated. ...

Cardinal Ratzinger reinforced the strict cover-up policy by introducing a new principle: that the Vatican must have what it calls Exclusive Competence. In other words, he commanded that all child abuse allegations should be dealt with direct by Rome.

Patrick Wall, a former Vatican-approved enforcer of the Crimen Sollicitationis in America, tells the programme: "I found out I wasn't working for a holy institution, but an institution that was wholly concentrated on protecting itself."

And Father Tom Doyle, a Vatican lawyer until he was sacked for criticising the church's handling of child abuse claims, says: "What you have here is an explicit written policy to cover up cases of child sexual abuse by the clergy and to punish those who would call attention to these crimes by the churchmen.

"When abusive priests are discovered, the response has been not to investigate and prosecute but to move them from one place to another. So there's total disregard for the victims and for the fact that you are going to have a whole new crop of victims in the next place. This is happening all over the world."

Source: This is London (emphasis added)

So to put matters simply: Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, instructed Catholic bishops all over the world that when confronted with a heinous crime of a particular type, they should not only not tell the authorities — which is itself a crime in at least some jurisdictions — but they should also pressure everyone else who knows to also keep quite about the crime, thus making them accessories after the fact.

It's hard not to see this as a deliberate, organized attempt to encourage criminal activity on a worldwide scale. Not only was this criminal conspiracy not punished, but it was rewarded by taking the primary man responsible and moving him to the leadership of the entire organization. When the consequences of criminal conspiracy are promotion rather than expulsion, there's little hope for an organization's future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterstorey

It's largely the result of them being denied a normal outlet for sex.

One of the priests in the report was sent to a psychiatrist who concluded that he had abused the child in a misguided attempt to form a relationship.

Personally, based on any priests I've ever met, I think most of them have some defect in their personality that makes become a priest, maybe they see it as an easy means of gaining respect and authority.

One thing which I definitely think is a factor is the possibility that many men with confusion over their sexuality went into the priesthood as a means of avoiding having to face the fact and implications of possibly being gay.

Not that I'm linking paedophilia and homosexuality, there is no link, but I dont think its beyond the realms of possibility that men with huge unresolved confusion and guilt about their sexuality ended up with a warped attitude towards sex, and that when this was coupled with their unquestioned position and authority within society and access to children who they had huge control and influence over it resulted in paedophilia.

Celibacy certainly contributed to this, but the attitude of the church as an organisation (this commission proving that the cover up was a conspiracy) is unforgivable and I hope it bankrupts it, both financially and morally.

Im red2 · 28th November 2009, 07:35

Exposed for what they truly are.

Eyepopper · 28th November 2009, 12:22

The hilarious thing is, some of these bishops still actully hold office.

It's a joke, in any other profession they'd be left to rot in prison. The arrogance of the catholic church is such that men who protected child rapists and labelled the victims evil liars are still trying to dish out moral guidance.

Lester Freamon · 28th November 2009, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eyepopper

The hilarious thing is, some of these bishops still actully hold office.

It's a joke, in any other profession they'd be left to rot in prison. The arrogance of the catholic church is such that men who protected child rapists and labelled the victims evil liars are still trying to dish out moral guidance.

I tried to write a reply to this thread but I couldn't, it was mainly swearing. It's unbelievable, really. Just unimaginable. These are the self-professed pillars of morality and decency in society and this.. How many hail Mary's for covering up the paedo's, Mr. Benedict?

Eyepopper · 28th November 2009, 21:24

I suppose when it's the current pope that over saw the churchs policy that they were all following it sort of says everythng you need to know.

Wonder Pigeon · 28th November 2009, 22:05

Gloomy atmosphere in the Mater Dei on Friday Pops....

Eyepopper · 30th November 2009, 18:10

Quote:

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said that at this moment, he believes that decisions on whether to resign by Cardinal Desmond Connell and others mentioned in the Murphy Report should be personal.

This is the first time in the three-day controversy over his Church's protection of priests that he has hinted he may change his public position.

Earlier, Bishop Donal Murray of Limerick said his decision on whether to resign hinges on the views of his clergy and parishioners and on whether his presence in the diocese is a help or a hindrance.

The Commission of Investigation report into clerical abuse in the Archdiocese of Dublin described Dr Murray's response to an allegation of abuse as inexcusable, and criticised his handling of other allegations.

Dr Murray said that at no time did he receive an allegation of sexual abuse and fail to take it seriously or attempt to cover it up.

He said he could honestly say that in one case his inability to get to the full truth was due to a lack of skill and experience and was not the result of any lack of effort on his part.

RTÉ News: Decision to resign should be 'personal'

Brilliant... The arrogance of these guys knows no bounds.

Thats basically the current head of the church in Ireland saying that the bishops who for decades conspired to protect and facilitate men who were raping children shouldn't be fired from their positions.

Good to see the church has learnt something from all this.

Eyepopper · 10th December 2009, 10:12

Quote:

Ireland's Catholic bishops apologised Wednesday and asked for forgiveness after an official report discovered decades of child sex abuse by priests and a cover-up by top churchmen.

The bishops, meeting for their winter conference, said the 'scale and depravity of abuse' revealed in last month's report was shocking, and conceded that the culture of cover-up appeared widespread within the church.

The Irish Bishops' Conference, meeting over two days in the university town of Maynooth, said they had agreed to open talks with Ireland's child welfare inspectors to audit church protection policy.

'We are deeply shocked by the scale and depravity of abuse as described in the report,' the bishops said in a statement.

'We are shamed by the extent to which child sexual abuse was covered up in the Archdiocese of Dublin and recognise that this indicates a culture that was widespread in the Church. -Dublin? What about all the other dioceses?

'The avoidance of scandal, the preservation of the reputations of individuals and of the Church, took precedence over the safety and welfare of children.

'This should never have happened and must never be allowed to happen again. We humbly ask for forgiveness.'

A damning report by judge Yvonne Murphy last month concluded Dublin archbishops concealed clerical abuse and failed to inform police of their crimes over a period of more than three decades.

One priest admitted to sexually abusing over 100 children, while another confessed that he had abused on a fortnightly basis over 25 years. -notably these statements weren't made from prison cells.

There is growing pressure for the resignation of bishops and senior church officials who were the subject of adverse findings in Murphy's report.

Ireland's top two Catholic churchmen, primate of all-Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady and Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, plan to brief the pope on the report in Rome on Friday.

The Vatican's envoy to Dublin said sorry on Tuesday for 'any mistake from our side,' after a meeting with Ireland's foreign minister, who had expressed deep disappointment at the Vatican's silence over the affair.

So 2 weeks later and still no statement from the Vatican, no unconditional apology, no nothing... You'd have to wonder if the motivation to avoid scandal and responsibility are still the main factors that influence the church.

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26th November 2009, 16:06	#2 (permalink)
Plechazunga Phones, soup, paint, chairs and computers are troubling. Join Date: May 2003 Location: Where Albert Stubbins scored a diving header Posts: 47,062	The Commission has also concluded that there is "no doubt" the Pope is a Catholic.

26th November 2009, 16:11	#3 (permalink)
PJ Mrs Robinson's bit on the side Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Playing guess who with Samuel L Jackson Posts: 14,274	No excuse for it.

26th November 2009, 17:08	#5 (permalink)
Kraftwerker Formerly RedAddict Join Date: May 2008 Location: We can't stop here. This is bat country. Posts: 8,761	Just what kind of grip did/do the Catholic Church have on Ireland? Sickening how it was allowed to go on for so long.

26th November 2009, 17:13	#6 (permalink)
niMic may peace and blessings of God be upon me Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: And I'm all out of bubblegum. Posts: 9,803	Religion.

26th November 2009, 18:07	#8 (permalink)
adexkola First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brooklyn. "Each employee was given a biscuit and a cup of tea..." Posts: 8,112	Eyepopper bashing the Catholic Church shocker

26th November 2009, 18:12	#9 (permalink)
Eyepopper Lowering the tone since 2006 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, think I'm heading home! Posts: 49,116	Yeah, I commissioned that enquiry and wrote the report. Its the biggest news story in Ireland today.

26th November 2009, 19:30	#11 (permalink)
F-Red First Team Sub Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Over there Posts: 5,341	Disgraceful.

26th November 2009, 19:46	#12 (permalink)
adexkola First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brooklyn. "Each employee was given a biscuit and a cup of tea..." Posts: 8,112	Just busting your balls It is shameful

26th November 2009, 19:57	#13 (permalink)
x42bn6 First Team Regular Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: 西田麻衣の谷間. Being a nerd, geek and virgin Posts: 17,080	I think it's startling at the extent of the abuse, not just in Ireland, personally. How Christian values from young can drive a priest to do such terrible things. Yes I'm aware that this is likely a small fraction of priests and we should not overgeneralise, but the systematic coverup of these cases is shocking and I am wondering if there is something more deeply rotten by priests turning to such shameful acts.

26th November 2009, 20:08	#14 (permalink)
peterstorey Bitter Arse hole Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Happy those, who can remain at Highbury! Posts: 24,643	It's largely the result of them being denied a normal outlet for sex.

27th November 2009, 00:08	#18 (permalink)
711 Real Caftard Fantasy Champ 2009 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cats are thieving destructive bastards that will ruin your home and alienate your neighbours for ever. . Posts: 6,901	At least we know it only happened in Ireland, because if it happened anywhere else in the world then the catholic hierarchy would have had something to say about it, right?

28th November 2009, 07:35	#25 (permalink)
Im red2 Prophet of Doom Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: In the begining(time), God created the Heavens(space) and the Earth(matter) Posts: 3,744	Exposed for what they truly are.

28th November 2009, 12:22	#26 (permalink)
Eyepopper Lowering the tone since 2006 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, think I'm heading home! Posts: 49,116	The hilarious thing is, some of these bishops still actully hold office. It's a joke, in any other profession they'd be left to rot in prison. The arrogance of the catholic church is such that men who protected child rapists and labelled the victims evil liars are still trying to dish out moral guidance.

28th November 2009, 21:24	#28 (permalink)
Eyepopper Lowering the tone since 2006 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, think I'm heading home! Posts: 49,116	I suppose when it's the current pope that over saw the churchs policy that they were all following it sort of says everythng you need to know.

28th November 2009, 22:05	#29 (permalink)
Wonder Pigeon 'Shelbourne FC Supporter' Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Forza Shelbourne Posts: 16,804	Gloomy atmosphere in the Mater Dei on Friday Pops....