Cardinal Sean Brady in response to the Cloyn Report |
Statement by Cardinal Seán Brady in response to the Cloyne Report Drumcree Pastoral Centre, Portadown The publication of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Child Safeguarding in the diocese of Cloyne represents another dark day in the history of the response of Church leaders to the cry of children abused by Church personnel. I welcome this Report. Earlier today, Archbishop Dermot Clifford apologised to the survivors of abuse and their families, to the people of the diocese of Cloyne and to the wider Church. I apologise and express my shame and sorrow at what has happened. Especially during these days I ask that we remember, in our thoughts and prayers, all those who have suffered, and continue to suffer, as a result of abuse. For those who are suffering the Church provides professional support and the recently established Towards Healing service is available to assist survivors. The findings of this Report confirm that grave errors of judgement were made and serious failures of leadership occurred. This is deplorable and totally unacceptable. These serious failures were first investigated by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church whose report was published in December 2008. I commend the National Board for its determination to fulfil the mandate given to it of devising and overseeing the implementation of best practice in safeguarding children throughout the Church. One positive aspect to come out of Judge Murphy’s Report is the confirmation that the Church-established structures of review and accountability have been proven to work effectively. The current Church environment for children is a totally different one to that of the past. As was publicly reported by the National Board on 11 May last: it has been advised that all allegations of abuse have been reported to the statutory authorities, North and South; It was my view, from an early stage, that an Apostolic Administrator be appointed to administer the diocese while Bishop Magee remained available to assist the Commission of Inquiry in its work. Today’s Report highlights again the necessity for continuing vigilance and full cooperation with the civil authorities, and the National Board, in the critical area of safeguarding children. I call today for the introduction of legislation to support mandatory reporting of allegations of child sexual abuse to the statutory authorities. I welcome the statement last week by the National Board that the resolution of the data protection issues earlier this year has cleared the way for the continuation of the audits of individual dioceses. The Church’s full commitment to this partnership is a guarantee of best practice in child safeguarding. |