In The News
In The News
The Future of the Catholic Church in Ireland
What do I say about the future of the Catholic Church in Ireland? The sociological data send us mixed signals ...
May 10, 2010, 00:00
In The News
Letter a step towards renewal, says Martin
The Pope’s pastoral letter was “part of a project, part of a strategy of a renewal of the church”, the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said ...
Mar 26, 2010, 09:00
In The News
Archbishop defends child protection
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has insisted the child protection measures within the Irish church are “solid and good” ...
Mar 21, 2010, 00:00
In The News
Pastoral Letter of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland
Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Church in Ireland, it is with great concern that I write to you as Pastor of the universal Church …
Mar 19, 2010, 00:00
In The News
'No division' in hierarchy about child protection
There was “no division” among bishops about future child protection measures and the church must ensure no “slippage” in dealing with clerical sex abuse in the future, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said ...
Feb 18, 2010, 00:00
In The News
Vatican Statement
The following is the full text of the press release issued by the Vatican yesterday ...
Feb 17, 2010, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin admits archdiocese in 'deep crisis'
Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray’s decision to resign following criticism of his handling of allegations of child sexual abuse was the “right thing” for his diocese and for the wider Irish Church, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said this evening ...
Dec 17, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Statements from Cardinal Brady, Archbishop Martin
... statements from Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady and Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin following the resignation of the Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray ...
Dec 17, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Irish Bishops meet with Pope
VATICAN CITY, 11 DEC 2009 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office released the following English-language communiqué at midday today: ...
Dec 11, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Statement issued by the Irish Bishops’ Conference at the end of the first day of their Winter General Meeting in Maynooth
Statement issued by the Irish Bishops’ Conference at the end of the first day of their Winter General Meeting in Maynooth ...
Dec 10, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Fallout from child abuse report to dominate meeting of bishops
Ireland’s Catholic bishops meet today for the first time since publication of the Murphy report as Cardinal Seán Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin prepare for a meeting with Pope Benedict on Friday to discuss how the Catholic Church should deal with the damage caused to it by the child abuse scandal ...
Dec 9, 2009, 00:00
In The News
30 years of church and State cover-up of child sex abuse
Child sexual abuse was covered up by the Dublin archdiocese and other church authorities for almost 30 years, according to the report of the commission of investigation ...
Nov 27, 2009, 11:00
In The News
No words of apology will ever be sufficient, says archbishop
Church Reaction: No words of apology will ever be sufficient for the suffering and trauma visited on those who were abused by members of the clergy, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said ...
Nov 27, 2009, 00:00
In The News
'It's the end of a very long fight and a very hard road'
Twenty-five years after she first reported being sexually abused as a 12-year-old girl, Marie Collins finally feels vindicated ...
Nov 27, 2009, 00:00
In The News
'Regret' as report not published in full
The Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation has expressed regret that “due to circumstances outside its control” its report will not be published in full today ...
Nov 26, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Commission finds Church covered up child sex abuse
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 ...
Nov 26, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Report on clerical child abuse claims in archdiocese to be published this week
The Report into the handling of clerical child sex abuse allegations by church and State authorities in Dublin’s Catholic archdiocese is now likely to be published on Thursday ...
Nov 23, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Edited report on Dublin abuse cleared for release
The High Court has cleared the way for publication of most of the report on the handling by Catholic Church and State authorities of child sex abuse allegations against clerics in the Dublin archdiocese ...
Nov 20, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Victims and archbishop broadly welcome decision
The Dublin report is expected to be published in the latter part of next week, following the decision of Mr Justice Paul Gilligan in the High Court yesterday that further deletions must be made in addition to those he announced on October 15th last ...
Nov 20, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Minister wants sex abuse report published quickly
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has indicated he wants to see the Dublin report into the handling of allegations of clerical child sex abuse in the archdiocese published “as quickly as possible” ...
Nov 12, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Anxiety grows over delays in clerical abuse report
Victims of clerical sex abuse are concerned at legal arguments behind closed doors which are delaying publication of the Dublin archdiocese report ...
Nov 11, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Full publication of clerical child sex abuse report may take years
The publication of a crucial chapter in the report of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation could be delayed by years, according to well-informed sources ...
Nov 7, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Child Protection Director to take HSE post
The Director of the child protection service for Dublin’s Catholic archdiocese will take up a new post with the HSE on Tuesday. Phil Garland will be one of four assistant national directors of its children’s and families’ service ...
Nov 7, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Ruling on abuse report due next week
The High Court will give its final ruling next week [week ending 6th November 2009] on exactly how much may be published of the report of the investigation into the handling by Catholic Church and State authorities of child sex abuse allegations against clerics in the Dublin archdiocese ...
Oct 30, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Court to hear legal arguments on abuse report
The High Court will next week hear additional arguments related to exactly how much may be published of the report of the investigation into the handling by Catholic Church and State authorities of child sex abuse allegations against clerics in the Dublin Archdiocese ...
Oct 22, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Report into sex abuse cases sent back to court
The Report into the handling by Church and State authorities of allegations of the abuse of children by Catholic priests in the Dublin Archdiocese is to be referred back to the High Court ...
Oct 21, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Report into sex abuse cases set to be published next week
The report into how allegations of child sex abuse by priests in the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin were dealt with by the State and church authorities is expected to be published by the Government late next week ...
Oct 16, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Ruling on child sex abuse report ready
The High Court is to deliver its reserved judgment tomorrow morning on what content of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation report may be published at this time ...
Oct 14, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Judgment reserved on what parts of child sex abuse report can be disclosed
Judgement has been reserved by the High Court until December 8th on what content of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation report may be published at this time ...
Oct 6, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Date fixed for abuse report court hearing
A full High Court hearing on publication of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation report will take place on October 1st next ...
Sep 10, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Court hearing on diocesan abuse report next month
The High Court is to hear a request from the Minister for Justice next month for direction on whether he can publish the latest report into child abuse in the Catholic Church ...
Aug 5, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Abuse report case for court mention
The High Court has listed for mention next month the request referred to it by Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern asking it to decide whether the report on abuse of children in the Dublin Diocese can be published in full ...
Aug 4, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Minister to receive Dublin clerical abuse study
Up to 450 victims of abusers have been identified by the Dublin Diocese Commission which is to present a key report into clerical child abuse to the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern today ...
Jul 21, 2009, 07:37
In The News
Dublin inquiry into how 19 senior clergy handled sex claims
The Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation is believed to have inquired into how four archbishops and 15 bishops addressed clerical child sex abuse allegations in the Dublin archdiocese ...
Jun 30, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop 'couldn't keep reading' abuse details
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has spoken of his personal torment on reading files in the diocese’s archives detailing clerical child sex abuse. In one instance he said it prompted him to throw documents to the ground ...
Jun 16, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Priest stands aside during inquiry
A priest has stood aside voluntarily from his position in a Dublin parish “as a result of information giving rise to child protection concerns”, the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin has confirmed ...
May 11, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop says abuse report 'will shock us all'
The imminent report of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation into clerical sex abuse “will shock us all”, according to the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Most Rev Diarmuid Martin ...
Apr 9, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Church policy aims to show way in safeguarding child from abuse
The Standards and Guidance document designed for both lay and clerical people is launched yesterday by the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church. This publication is a road map for overcoming past breaches of the trust of children ...
Feb 25, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Guidelines on child sexual abuse
Detailed Guidelines on how religious authorities should respond to allegations of child sexual abuse by clerical and lay persons have been published by the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church ...
Feb 25, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Prompt reporting to civil authorities compulsory
GUIDELINES: Catholic Church authorities must ensure all allegations or suspicions of child abuse are promptly reported to civil authorities under new national guidelines aimed at safeguarding children.
Feb 25, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop hails guidelines for clerical abuse database
The Archbishop of Dublin last night welcomed revised child protection guidelines issued by the Catholic Church's abuse watchdog that will result in the setting up of a new database of clerical abuse allegations on both sides of the Border.
Feb 25, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Dublin child abuse report delayed by months
Delays dogging the long-awaited report into child abuse in the Archdiocese of Dublin may mean it is not delivered to the Government until the summer ...
Feb 7, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Dublin Diocese holds more abuse meetings
Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has embarked on a number of meetings this week to consult with parish pastoral councils in anticipation of the report of Dublin Inquiry ...
Jan 15, 2009, 00:00
In The News
Priests abused up to 400 children in Dublin diocese
Shocking new figures show that 400 children have been identified as possible victims of sex abuse by priests in the Dublin Archdiocese -- proportionately even higher then the catalogue of horrors found by a Government investigation into the Diocese of Ferns ...
Nov 8, 2008, 00:00
In The News
Sex abuse claims against 150 priests
Suspicions or allegations of clerical child sexual abuse have been raised about over 150 priests who have served in the Dublin archdiocese since the 1940s, according to updated figures released by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin yesterday ...
Nov 8, 2008, 00:00
In The News
Catholic Church launches new website for the faithful
Daily Mass readings are among the contents of a new website launched in St Patrick's College, Maynooth, yesterday by the Catholic bishops ...
Sep 23, 2008, 00:00
In The News
Time to face up to facts of sexual abuse of children
We know child sexual abuse remains a huge problem in Irish society; it is time we acted courageously to stop it, writes Maeve Lewis ...
Sep 17, 2008, 00:00
In The News
Pope feels the 'pain' caused by abusive priests in Ireland
Pope Benedict XVI realises that Irish society has been "deeply pained" by the sexual abuse of children by paedophile priests, the new Papal Nuncio revealed yesterday ...
May 12, 2008, 00:00
In The News
Church in Dublin must regain goodwill of all, says Archbishop
The Catholic Church in Dublin had been "damaged by scandals and by a reaction of what appears as near arrogance in not realising the damage that had been done to the weakest," the Archbishop of Dublin Most Rev Diarmuid Martin has said. It was something "we cannot overlook" ...
Apr 28, 2008, 00:00
In The News
Safeguarding children in Church: Meeting the challenge
Ian Elliott outlines the initiatives currently being undertaken regarding the implementation of Our Children, Our Church ...
Apr 15, 2008, 00:00
In The News
Broad welcome for decision to drop action
There has been a general welcome for the decision of Cardinal Desmond Connell to withdraw his High Court action yesterday, in which he was claiming privilege over 5,586 documents before the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation ...
Feb 12, 2008, 00:00
In The News
Solicitor outlines cardinal's concerns
Cardinal Desmond Connell's solicitor Diarmaid Ó Catháin said in an affidavit that the cardinal was unaware until recently of discussions between solicitors for the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin's solicitors relating to the documents or of an agreement between the commission and Archbishop Martin as to how issues of privilege should be determined ...
Feb 1, 2008, 00:02
In The News
Leading churchmen disagree on sex abuse inquiry
A major disagreement has emerged between the Archbishop of Dublin and his predecessor over how to deal with the Government's inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Dublin ...
Feb 1, 2008, 00:01
In The News
Cardinal brings court challenge over documents
Cardinal Desmond Connell has begun High Court proceedings challenging the production of allegedly legally privileged documents from diocesan files to the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation into the handling by the cardinal and others of complaints of child abuse against Catholic clergy in the Dublin Archdiocese ...
Feb 1, 2008, 00:00
In The News
Extension for the Commission of Investigation into the Archdiocese of Dublin
The Government has given the commission of inquiry into clerical sexual abuse in the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin a 12-month extension to allow it to complete its work ...
Jul 31, 2007, 00:00
In The News
Director of Child Protection Service speaks on RTE Radio talk show
The Director of the Child Protection Service in the Archdiocese of Dublin was one of the guests speaking about issues related to child sexual abuse on RTE Radio ...
Jun 28, 2007, 13:45
In The News
New Chief Executive of Catholic Child Protection Board appointed
The Catholic Church's National Board for Child Protection has appointed a member of the Church of Ireland, Ian Elliott, as its first chief executive ...
May 31, 2007, 00:00
In The News
Clerical sex abuse inquiry seeks remit extension
The Commission of Investigation into Clerical Sexual Abuse in the Dublin archdiocese is expected to seek an extension to a remit requiring it to produce a final report by September of this year ...
May 30, 2007, 00:00
In The News
Formal hearing on Dublin clerical sexual abuse begins next month
Formal hearings in the Commission of Investigation into Clerical Sexual Abuse in the Dublin archdiocese are expected to begin next month. They will not be in public ...
Mar 1, 2007, 00:00
In The News
Child Protection Board team named
The membership of the Catholic Church's National Board for Child Protection was finally announced yesterday.
Feb 6, 2007, 00:00
In The News
Programme on Rome sex abuse cover-up was 'grossly incorrect'
Gravely misleading claims were made in the BBC 'Panorama' programme about the Church document Crimen Sollicitationis and a supposed global conspiracy by the Vatican to cover up clerical sexual abuse ...
Oct 3, 2006, 00:04
In The News
Archbishop rejects claims Pope led abuse cover-up
Following shocking allegations in a television programme that the Pontiff helped protect paedophile clerics, the archbishop said investigations had not been hindered ...
Oct 3, 2006, 00:03
In The News
O'Gorman rejects criticisms of 'sex crimes' TV report
One in Four director Colm O'Gorman has rejected Catholic Church accusations that parts of Sunday night's BBC Panorama programme "Sex Crimes and the Vatican", in which he was the reporter, were "false and entirely misleading" ...
Oct 3, 2006, 00:02
In The News
O'Gorman demands Vatican policy on children
Colm O'Gorman, the head of the One in Four victims' support group, yesterday called on the Vatican to introduce a worldwide mandatory child-protection policy as the Archbishop of Dublin rejected claims that the Pope led a cover-up of child sex abuse ...
Oct 3, 2006, 00:01
In The News
Challenge to protect young 'is an uphill climb'
The challenge of adequately protecting children is still an uphill climb in Ireland, the Archbishop of Dublin Most Rev Diarmuid Martin said yesterday ...
Oct 3, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Canon lawyer denies code silenced sex abuse victims
A Panorama documentary, "Sex Crimes and the Vatican", shown on BBC 1 last night, claimed that a church directive, which was updated by Pope Benedict when he was a cardinal, was being used to silence the victims of clerical sex abuse ...
Oct 2, 2006, 00:02
In The News
Church angered by BBC's 'false charges' over clerical abuse
A senior church lawyer last night accused Colm O'Gorman, the founder of the One in Four victims' support group, of "maligning" Pope Benedict XVI ...
Oct 2, 2006, 00:01
In The News
Pope faces sex abuse cover-up claims
One British archbishop labelled a BBC documentary broadcast last night as unwarranted, misleading and a “deeply prejudiced attack” against the Pope ...
Oct 2, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop 'violently angry' at child abuse
The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has described how he felt "violently angry" on hearing stories of priests abusing children ...
Oct 1, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Child protection progressing
The Church's new Board on Child Protection is "working vigorously" a spokesman for the Chairman of the Board Mr Justice Anthony Hederman, has insisted, despite renewed media speculation that the implementation of the child protection policy has been delayed ...
Sep 7, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Public hearings on abuse unlikely
No public hearings are likely to be held in the State investigation into the handling of clerical child sex abuse by Catholic Church authorities in Dublin. The inquiry is expected to begin late next month ...
Aug 31, 2006, 00:00
In The News
New Child Protection policy delayed
Plans to launch the National Board and the National Office to operate the Church’s new child protection policy, Our Children, Our Church have run into delays ...
Jun 29, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Abuse group must report in 18 months
The Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Church and the State's handling of nearly 30 years of child abuse investigations will have 18 months to file its report, the Department of Justice has said ...
Mar 29, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Go-ahead at last for clerical abuse inquiry
The next Government will deal with the findings of the €4.5m inquiry into sample cases of clerical child sexual abuse in the Dublin archdiocese ...
Mar 29, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Letter to The Irish Catholic
The recent editorial comment “Rights of Priests” (The Irish Catholic, 9 March 2006) is misleading in relation to the complex issue of the circumstances leading to a Bishop or congregational leader asking a priest to voluntarily step aside from ministry ...
Mar 23, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Child protection expert due to be named
The Government is about to announce the appointment of an expert to examine the Catholic Church's child protection policy ...
Mar 17, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Church rules on abuse claims mean unfair treatment for accused priests
The Catholic Church's rules for dealing with sex abuse allegations against priests can cause injustice, and greatly harm those who are wrongly accused, writes Nuala O'Loan ...
Mar 14, 2006, 00:00
In The News
'Over-strict' abuse guidelines anger priests
A growing number of priests are protesting about "over-strict" interpretations by bishops of Catholic Church guidelines on dealing with those accused of child sex abuse. They believe priests are too often stood aside from ministry - and their reputations irreparably damaged - on the basis of flimsy allegations ...
Mar 9, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Update shows 102 priests in Dublin accused of child abuse
Latest figures from Dublin's Catholic archdiocese indicate that 102 priests there have been accused of child sex abuse in the 66-year period between 1940 and 2006. Of that figure, 91 face allegations of child abuse while suspicions of such abuse have been raised in a further 11 cases. Approximately 350 victims have been identified to date, with indications of a possible further 40 who have yet to be identified or traced ...
Mar 8, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Over 100 Dublin priests accused of abuse
More than 100 Catholic priests in the Dublin diocese have been accused or suspected of raping or sexually abusing 390 child victims since 1940 ...
Mar 8, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Abuse probe 'worse than expected'
The Government-appointed Commission of Investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse by priests in the Dublin Archdiocese will be even bigger and its contents more shocking than expected ...
Feb 21, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Bishops awaiting green light on new child abuse policy
The Vatican has not yet given the go-ahead to the Irish Bishops to implement fully their updated child protection policy following the Government Inquiry into clerical child sexual abuse in the diocese of Ferns, according to the Archbishop of Dublin ...
Feb 20, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Is there a conflict between Canon Law and Civil Law?
I’ve heard a lot in the media recently about a conflict between canon law and civil law. Is there a conflict? Fr Garret give his answer ...
Jan 30, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Catholic Church and Child Abuse Guidelines – Letter 2
Madam, - As a member of the Lynott working group which contributed to the new child protection policies and procedures for the Catholic Church in Ireland, "Our Children, Our Church", I have been following with interest the views being expressed in your paper and elsewhere on the proposed arrangements for dealing with allegations received by the church. While not wishing to respond to all or any of the points, I thought it might be useful for your readers to understand the rationale for the proposals and how they are likely to operate in practice ...
Jan 2, 2006, 00:01
In The News
Catholic Church and Child Abuse Guidelines – Letter 1
Madam, - In regard to comment about the use of "reasonable grounds for concern" as the basis for reporting allegations or concerns of child abuse in the recently published Catholic Church document, "Our Children, Our Church", I refer to chapter 4, pages 37 and 38, of "Children First, National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children", which are to be followed by all organisations working with children in Ireland ...
Jan 2, 2006, 00:00
In The News
Church policy on child protection now exceeds State's own guidelines
The Catholic Church is trying to ensure that all information relating to allegations and suspicions of child abuse is dealt with in a consistent and professional manner, writes Bishop Colm O'Reilly ...
Dec 23, 2005, 00:01
In The News
Church website amends wording
Changes made to a document on the Catholic Church's communications website now state that a working group on child protection "unanimously agreed to be associated with" the church's child protection policy and procedures ...
Dec 23, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop pledges to make church 'safe for children'
Catholic Archbishop Seán Brady yesterday committed the church in Ireland to implementing child protection guidelines that aim "to ensure that where the church is, children are safe" ...
Dec 20, 2005, 00:00
In The News
New abuse guidelines get mixed response
There was a mixed reaction to the child protection guidelines published yesterday by the Irish Catholic Church ...
Dec 20, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Church's desire for control mars child protection code
The Catholic Church's child protection guidelines are a fine piece of work but flawed on the issue of reporting allegations to the civil authorities ...
Dec 20, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Clerical abuse to be probed by lay experts
Catholic Bishops are to hand over responsibility for the handling of child abuse claims to professionally qualified lay people ...
Dec 20, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Church child abuse guide revamped
Revamped child protection guidelines - the most stringent in the country - are being launched today by the Catholic Church ...
Dec 19, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Abuse inquiry not limited to specific complaints
The inquiry into the Dublin archdiocese’s handling of child sex abuse cases involving clergy will not be limited to instances where specific complaints were made ...
Dec 16, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Vatican backs Irish child policy
The Vatican is poised to give its formal approval to the bishops' conference new norms on child protection 'Our Children: Our Church' ...
Dec 8, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Judge has presided over many cases of child abuse
Judge Yvonne Murphy is no stranger
to the issue of child sex abuse. As a judge of the Circuit Court since April
1998, most of which she has served in the Circuit Criminal Court, she has
presided over dozens, if not hundreds, of cases involving the abuse of children
by relatives, teachers, clergy and others ...
Nov 15, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Terms of Reference
The commission of investigation into allegations of child abuse in the Dublin Catholic archdiocese will not inquire into every case, but will examine a representative sample, according to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell ...
Nov 9, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Church handling of abuse cases to be examined
The Government has established an 18-month investigation into the Dublin archdiocese's handling of child abuse allegations ...
Nov 9, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop promises full commission co-operation
The Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin has said that the Dublin archdiocese will fully co-operate with the commission of investigation set up by the Government to examine how complaints of child sexual abuse against priests in Dublin were handled ...
Nov 9, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Ahern elaborates on his defence of church
The Taoiseach last night elaborated on his strong defence of the Catholic Church's relationship with the State ...
Nov 9, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Abuse victim welcomes Dublin inquiry
A victim of clerical abuse centrally involved in pushing for a State investigation into Dublin archdiocese last night welcomed the publication of the inquiry’s terms of reference ...
Nov 9, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Church set for more abuse shame
The Catholic Church has had to face one outburst of public anger after another in recent years because of the clerical abuse scandals ...
Nov 9, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Cabinet to give go ahead for sex abuse inquiry
The Cabinet will today clear the way for a State inquiry into child sex abuse allegations against priests in the Dublin Catholic archdiocese dating back over 30 years ...
Nov 8, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Inquiry to seek proof of bids to thwart complaints
A statutory inquiry into child sex abuse in the Dublin archdiocese will examine whether attempts were made to thwart the hearing of complaints ...
Nov 8, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop says Commission of Investigation will have full co-operation of Dublin Diocese
The Archbishop of Dublin Dr. Diarmuid Martin has said the Commission of Investigation announced by the Minister for Justice into how complaints of child sexual abuse against clergy of the Diocese were handled will have the full co-operation of the Dublin Diocese ...
Nov 8, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Terms for Dublin abuse inquiry agreed
Agreement has been reached between the Government, victims' representatives and church authorities on the terms of reference for the statutory inquiry into the handling of abuse complaints by the Archdiocese of Dublin ...
Nov 7, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Advice on Ferns diocesan bill sought
Attorney General Rory Brady is to advise the Government on whether the State should pay legal costs incurred by Ferns diocese in its dealings with the Ferns inquiry ...
Nov 5, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Sex abuse inquiry expanded to include audit of all dioceses
The proposed statutory inquiry into the Dublin archdiocese is to be expanded to carry out an independent examination of every other diocese in the Republic, to establish whether there are current child protection concerns relating to serving priests ...
Nov 2, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Cabinet to discuss abuse inquiry for Dublin
The Cabinet will consider proposals for an inquiry into the Dublin archdiocese's handling of clerical child sex abuse allegations within a fortnight, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Brian Lenihan, said yesterday.
Oct 29, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Clerical Child Sex Abuse: diocese by diocese
Summary of child abuse by diocese ....
Oct 29, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Abuse claims inquiry plans 'urgent'
Plans to set up an inquiry into how the Dublin archdiocese handled allegations of child sex abuse by priests will be brought to Cabinet "as a matter of urgency", Minister of State for Justice Brian Lenihan said yesterday ...
Oct 28, 2005, 11:00
In The News
Church to name child protection board shortly
The Catholic Church will name the members and chairperson of its new National Board for Child Protection "within a month" a spokesman has said ...
Oct 27, 2005, 00:00
In The News
The Ferns diocese’s code of conduct for clergy and staff
The Child Protection Office of the Irish Bishops’ Conference was established in July 2001 to advise bishops, clergy and lay people on best practice in responding to complaints of child abuse against members of the Catholic Church. Since its foundation, it has delivered Child Protection Awareness Sessions to priests and lay people across the 26 dioceses in Ireland ...
Oct 27, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Dublin diocese paid €5.5m to the victims of sex abuse
The Catholic diocese of Dublin has so far paid out more than €5.5m to 62 victims of clerical sex abuse ...
Oct 27, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Audit will decide on national abuse inquiry
The Government won't hold a national inquiry into child abuse until an audit on the situation has been completed ...
Oct 27, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Report begins Herculean task of exorcising child sex abuse
The scale of child sex abuse by priests in Ferns diocese would not have been believed before the inquiry began ...
Oct 26, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Dublin abuse inquiry 'will go ahead'
A Government commitment to hold an inquiry into alleged child sex abuse in the Dublin archdiocese still stands, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil ...
Oct 26, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Church set to act on new child protection policy
The Catholic archdiocese of Dublin is to begin recruiting up to 200 "representatives" to implement a new national child protection policy in every parish ...
Sep 29, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Church has paid at least €6m in compensation to abuse victims
Catholic dioceses throughout Ireland have so far paid at least €6 million in compensation to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by priests ...
Sep 26, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop faces up to crisis in the Church
From dealing with the problems of the world as permanent observer of the Holy See to the UN in Geneva, the Archbishop of Dublin has had to come to grips with the more immediate issues of diocesan finances, the shortage of priests and the vexed question of clerical sex abuse ...
Aug 7, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Sex abuse priest escapes jail term
A retired priest who had sex with a 16-year old boy has escaped a prison sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court ...
May 12, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Diocese 'cannot afford' to pay abuse claimants
The Dublin diocese does not have cash to pay child abuse claims in the medium term and may have to sell property to raise it, Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin has admitted ...
Apr 1, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop admits Church cannot afford compensation bill
Archbishop Diarmuid
Martin says,
in an interview in The Star, that he does not have money to deal with clerical
child abuse claims ...
Mar 31, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Abuse compensation fund almost depleted, say bishops
Irish bishops have launched a review of a central clerical abuse compensation fund that is almost depleted following a steep rise in the cost of claims that have reached €5 million in the last two years alone, write Patsy McGarry and Liam Reid …
Mar 18, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Dublin Archdiocese has paid EUR4.9m in child sex abuse cases
Dublin's Catholic Archdiocese has paid €4.9 million in settlements arising from child sex abuse to date, according to new figures ...
Mar 11, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Church report was not unanimously endorsed
A member of the Catholic Church’s working group on child sexual abuse, which disbanded in disgust last September, has denied a claim that her former group "unanimously endorses" a new church report entitled Our Children, Our Church ...
Mar 6, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Dioceses must cover €50m abuse claims
Ireland's
Catholic Bishops will meet in Maynooth next week to decide how best to raise new
funds to meet the expected €50 million bill for clerical sex abuse victims
...
Mar 6, 2005, 00:00
In The News
New bishops’ pastoral will stir debate
If the bishops’ 2003 landmark study, 'Time to Listen' was about “sackcloth and ashes”, this week’s 23-page Lenten Pastoral is all about "healing and closure” ...
Feb 10, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Irish bishops this week issued a document outlining ongoing efforts to heal the pain of abuse victims
The Irish Bishops issued a major document this week on child sexual abuse. Issued as a Lenten Pastoral the 23-page document ‘Towards Healing' is a candid reflection on Ireland's clerical abuse crisis. In it, the bishops admit their shortcomings, share their own horror at the betrayal of trust by guilty clergy, and outline their ongoing efforts to assist victims in the healing process.
Feb 10, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Bishop rejects discreet approach to sex abuse
Dealing discreetly with allegations of child sex abuse "can lead to failure to take the necessary steps", Bishop Donal Murray has said …
Feb 9, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Sacking priests 'not the best way to stop abuse'
The Catholic hierarchy has rejected a policy of automatically seeking the dismissal from the priesthood of clerics found guilty of sex abuse on the grounds that this is not always the best way to protect children ...
Feb 9, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Lenten reflection on Church's journey of healing
Ten years ago, on the publication of the Child Sexual Abuse: Framework for a Church Response, Cardinal Daly said, "we express our shame and sorrow that such incidents of abuse have occurred. On behalf of bishops, priests and religious we apologise to all who have suffered because of sexual abuse inflicted on them by priests and religious ...
Feb 9, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Cardinal may face public grilling on abuse scandals
Senior clerics such as Cardinal Desmond Connell could be questioned in public about their responses to abuse complaints against priests in their charge under plans to be brought to Cabinet within a month ...
Feb 8, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Church plans to publish annual abuse claims against priests
The Catholic Church is to make public each year the number of abuse allegations made against priests and other church personnel in the previous 12 months. This is part of a reporting requirement contained in its as yet unpublished child protection policy, and it will mean that the Church will become the only organisation in the country to publish such data ...
Jan 29, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Church abuse policy awaits Rome nod
A comprehensive new child protection policy for the Catholic Church is awaiting recognition from the Vatican after it was given unanimous approval yesterday by the expert group which drafted it …
Jan 28, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Child policy agreed
A final policy document on child
protection for the Catholic Church in Ireland was agreed at a meeting
in Maynooth yesterday. The Church's Working Group on Child Protection arrived at
the decision in what became its final meeting …
Jan 28, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Priest pleads guilty to abuse
A retired priest has been remanded on bail for sentencing after evidence was given yesterday at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of sexual abuse involving a 16-year-old boy ...
Jan 22, 2005, 00:00
In The News
Church agreement on child abuse guidelines
The Catholic Church in Ireland has moved a step closer towards having in place guidelines on child-protection policy.
Dec 21, 2004, 11:00
In The News
Dispute settled in Catholic Church child protection review
A
Dispute over revised child protection procedures for the Catholic Church has
been resolved, it was announced yesterday.
Dec 21, 2004, 00:00
In The News
Cardinal admits he provoked anger in abuse row
The former Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, has acknowledged that his retirement helped the Church in Ireland because he had become the main "lightning rod" for public anger over the clerical sex abuse issue.
Dec 18, 2004, 00:00
In The News
Church sex abuse probe draws blank
A two-year garda inquiry into allegations that the Catholic church covered up child sex abuse has so far failed to produce incriminating evidence against senior church figures.
Nov 28, 2004, 12:00
In The News
Bishops insist they accept need for expert advice on abuse cases
Catholic bishops have insisted they accept the principle of acting on expert professional advice when dealing with child sex abuse.
Oct 7, 2004, 09:15
In The News
Mistrust is clouding resolution of the clerical abuse issue
SOME months back I was on Vincent Browne’s radio programme discussing a new report, A Time to Listen - Confronting Child Sexual Abuse by Catholic Clergy, commissioned by Irish bishops.
Oct 6, 2004, 22:00
In The News
Despite hierarchy's soothing sounds, church rejects child protection report
THE Sunday Independent has seen the draft report of a Catholic Working Group on Child Protection that disbanded in disgust last month. Church authorities are refusing to publish the report.
Oct 3, 2004, 10:13
In The News
Church 'must talk to experts' over sex abuse allegations
The Catholic Church must consult professional experts as a matter of policy when making decisions about how to respond to clerical sex abuse allegations, the National Conference of Priests of Ireland has insisted …
Sep 30, 2004, 12:00
In The News
Archbishop fears more abuse scandals
The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, has said that "the full dimensions of the clerical abuse scandals, sadly, may yet still have to appear ...
Sep 29, 2004, 12:00
In The News
Responsibility for sex case dealings 'rests with bishops'
The "fundamental responsibility" for how allegations of clerical sex abuse should be dealt with rests with the bishop in each diocese, but only after he has taken professional advice, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said …
Sep 29, 2004, 12:00
In The News
Prelate backs outside expertise
The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev Diarmuid Martin, has said there is nothing in the recommendations of the Catholic Church's Working Group on Child Protection which was not already in place in the Dublin archdiocese.
Sep 22, 2004, 21:04
In The News
The bishops must yield in child guidelines row
THE Catholic Church has landed itself in trouble again over the issue of clerical sex abuse and at the heart of the current row appears to be the matter of control.
Sep 21, 2004, 20:57
In The News
State of play: progress of inquiries
Progress
of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the McCullough Inquiry and the
Ferns Inquiry ...
Sep 21, 2004, 12:00
In The News
Church 'must let outsiders take over child safety issues'
The Church should not be involved in the care of children unless it allows professionals to take over its child-protection service, Colm O'Gorman, the head of victim support group One in Four, said yesterday ...
Sep 21, 2004, 12:00
In The News
Church plans talks to resolve impasse on child abuse policy
THE Catholic bishops are to meet with the head of their advisory group on child protection in a bid to resolve a row over what should happen when a cleric is accused of abuse.
Sep 20, 2004, 20:42
In The News
Church invitation 'constructive', child protection group says
The chairwoman of the Catholic Church's Working Group on Child Protection, which disbanded last Thursday following lengthy disagreement with Church representatives, has described as "constructive" an invitation to meet again with the Church representatives …
Sep 18, 2004, 12:00
In The News
Church's child-abuse group disbanded over procedures
The Catholic Church's Working Group on Child Protection has been disbanded after a heated row with church representatives over whether professionals or church leaders should decide how sex-abuse complaints are handled …
Sep 18, 2004, 11:59
In The News
Clerical abuse victim 'hopeful'
Mrs Marie Collins, a victim of clerical abuse when a child, said last night she was "very hopeful where child protection in the Dublin archdiocese is concerned".
Jul 15, 2004, 08:44
In The News
Archbishop meets victims to discuss tighter procedures
A MEETING has taken place between Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and two prominent abuse victims to discuss progress by the Dublin archdiocese in improving its child protection procedures.
Jul 15, 2004, 08:41
In The News
Priests in 'hurt' parish reach out to sex abuse victims
PARISHES in the Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard areas of Dublin have taken the innovative step of distributing leaflets to 7,000 households, detailing the organisations to contact in the event of being a victim of sexual abuse.
Jul 12, 2004, 08:27
In The News
Interview with Dr Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin
Dr Diarmuid Martin talks
about the pressure to conform, the decline in vocations, women priests, the
devastating effect of the sex abuse scandals, and the future of the Catholic
Church ...
May 29, 2004, 00:00
In The News
Bishop says church serious about getting rid of abusive priests
An international group of English-speaking bishops is serious about ridding the church of sexually abusive priests and is committed to making the Catholic Church a model safe environment for children, said an Australian bishop ...
May 28, 2004, 00:00
In The News
Gardai to get file on sexual abuse of girls in care
The
Archdiocese of Dublin will today pass on to Gardaí details of explosive claims
that young women in care were victims of systematic sexual abuse by "prominent
lay people" ...
May 17, 2004, 00:00
In The News
Archbishop considering compensation fund for abused
THE new Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, is giving serious consideration to a compensation fund as a way of providing abuse claimants with an alternative to fighting the archdiocese through the courts.
Apr 30, 2004, 12:35
In The News
Church's man of the people faces enormous challenge
THE FIRST and most pressing task on Archbishop Diarmuid Martin's agenda now that he has taken up the reins of the Dublin Archdiocese will be the final resolution of the clerical sex abuse issue.
He must find a way of delivering justice to the victims of abuse in a way that will satisfy both them and the wider community.
Apr 27, 2004, 12:17
In The News
Archbishop will sell assets to pay abuse victim bill
THE new Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, last night indicated he is willing to consider selling any and all diocesan assets that can be legally disposed of as a way of compensating clerical sex abuse victims.
Apr 27, 2004, 12:11
In The News
Cardinal to face questions over child abuse cover-up claims
THE Archbishop of Dublin is to be
questioned by senior gardai about a possible cover-up of child abuse in his
diocese.
Cardinal Desmond Connell, the Catholic
Church’s most senior cleric in Ireland, is one of several key religious figures
who will be interviewed in the coming months as a two-year garda investigation
into abuse in the country’s largest archdiocese draws to a
close.
Apr 25, 2004, 09:09
In The News
Archbishop Connell 'joyful' as succession move on way
CARDINAL Desmond Connell gave another strong indication yesterday that he will shortly make way for his successor. In his Homily at the Chrism Mass in the Pro-Cathedral, he said it was "reasonable", given his age, to suppose this would be the last time he would celebrate this particular Mass.
Apr 9, 2004, 10:06
In The News
Cardinal asks pardon from those he offended
In what had the characteristics of a valedictory address at the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin yesterday, Cardinal Desmond Connell asked pardon of all whom he had offended.
Apr 9, 2004, 10:01
In The News
How US Church exposed the truth about sex abuse
The extent of child abuse by Catholic clergy in Ireland has never been fully documented, despite several attempts. In contrast, a Church audit in America has catalogued allegations against priests in great detail - and led to many new safeguards. David Quinn reports
Mar 18, 2004, 19:50
In The News
We should have had abuse audit, says clerical watchdog
A NATIONWIDE Church-commissioned audit into clerical sex abuse cases similar to one published recently in the US should have been conducted in Ireland, the head of the Child Protection Service of the Dublin Archdiocese has said.
Mar 16, 2004, 16:15
In The News
Senior church figures for abuse inquiry
THE State investigation into clerical sex abuse cases in the Dublin archdiocese is to have a statutory footing and remains on target to start before the end of the year, according to prominent abuse victim, Mrs Marie Collins.
Mar 14, 2004, 17:43
In The News
Two key reports on Child Abuse in the American Church are issued
Two major reports were released by the National Review Board – the body set up by the United States Catholic Bishops’ Conference in June 2002 to oversee child protection within the American Catholic Church.
Feb 27, 2004, 17:49
In The News
The Archbishop of Boston Releases Sex-Abuse Report
The Boston Archdiocese released a report
showing that 162 of its priests have been accused of molesting 815 minors since
1950 ...
Feb 26, 2004, 00:00
In The News
Academy Publishes Findings of Symposium on Sexual Abuse
The
Vatican has published a volume
produced by the Pontifical
Academy for Life entitled
“Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church: Scientific and Legal Perspectives.” It
contains the findings of the symposium ….
Feb 25, 2004, 00:00
In The News
'Accord needed' on dismissal of abusive priests
THE Catholic Church and society need to reach a consensus on whether or not priests found guilty of abusing children should be dismissed from ministry, according to the head of the Child Protection Service of the Dublin archdiocese.
Feb 22, 2004, 00:00
In The News
Vatican says Church must work with scientific experts to prevent abuse
A new report is due to be issued from
the Vatican, "Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church: Scientific and Legal
Perspectives," ...
Feb 18, 2004, 00:00
In The News
The Archbishop of Los Angeles Releases Sex-Abuse Report
The Los Angeles Archdiocese released a report showing that 244 of its priests have been accused of molesting 656 minors since 1930 ...
Feb 17, 2004, 18:05
In The News
Diocesan sex abuse probe 'may start in September'
An inquiry into child sexual abuse in the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin could begin its work as early as September, the Minister for Justice has said.
Feb 14, 2004, 00:00
In The News
Child abuse inquiry could begin in September
The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has told victims of abuse that the long-awaited inquiry into child sexual abuse in the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin could begin its work in September.
Feb 13, 2004, 18:17
In The News
Dr. Diarmuid Martin addressed the issues of child abuse within a wide ranging interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland radio programme
When asked about child abuse revelations and the legal approach in institutional inquiries, Dr. Martin (coadjutor Archbishop of Dublin) said ...
Feb 10, 2004, 08:25
In The News
Bishops to atone for sex abuse
Catholic bishops are planning a national day of atonement to seek forgiveness for the sins of the church ...
Jan 11, 2004, 00:00
In The News
Priest is cleared by Garda child sex inquiry
One of the most senior Catholic priests in the Dublin diocese has been cleared of a child abuse allegation following a Garda investigation ...
Dec 28, 2003, 00:00
In The News
New Archbishop ‘frightened’ by extent of abuse
The number of child abuse
cases against priests in Dublin is “frightening”, according to Diarmuid
Martin, the coadjutor Archbishop of Dublin ...
Dec 21, 2003, 00:00
In The News
Dublin priests to receive child protection training
Six hundred priests in
Dublin, Ireland’s largest Catholic
archdiocese, will receive formal training in child protection from next year
…
Dec 14, 2003, 00:00
In The News
Former local priest is part of new service
A Donabate curate has been appointed Priest
Delegate in the new Child Protection Service for the Archbishop of
Dublin.
Dec 12, 2003, 00:00
In The News
RTE Drama Fair City on the subject of child abuse
Ireland's popular soap drama
Fair
City will
broadcast a week-long special on the theme of the Church from Tuesday 9th to
Friday 12th of December ....
Dec 9, 2003, 00:00
In The News
New Research into Child Sexual Abuse by Catholic Clergy in Ireland
This book "Time To Listen" is the result of the first major assessment internationally by an independent research agency of clerical sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in Ireland ...
Dec 4, 2003, 00:00
In The News
New Child Protection Service for Dublin
A new
Child Protection Service for the Archdiocese of Dublin has been announced by
Cardinal Desmond Connell.
Dec 4, 2003, 00:00
In The News
Cardinal Connell Welcomes Child Protection Service
Cardinal Connell in his letter to priests says ...
Nov 26, 2003, 14:31
In The News
New Child Protection Service office opened
Moving in ...
Nov 10, 2003, 09:00
In The News
Appointments at the Child Protection Service
New appointments ...
Sep 29, 2003, 09:04
In The News
Archbishop pledges to help sex abuse victims of priests
WOUNDS of children sexually abused by priests are the wounds of the entire Catholic Church - and there is no way the church can forget it while survivors feel hurt, Dublin's next archbishop said yesterday. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said clergy who abused children misused a position of authority and trust placed in them by the weakest members of the community.
Aug 31, 2003, 18:08
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