Priest Takes Leave Pending Abuse Probe

One of the most senior priests in the Down and Connor diocese has taken leave of his duties following allegations of abuse against him.

The Diocesan Child Safeguarding office received the allegations in late January.

The priest, Father John McManus, who is based in the parish of Ballygalget on the Ards peninsula, is a former press spokesperson for the diocese and a member of its committee which oversees the safeguarding of children.

The police have begun investigating the allegations, while, in a statement Fr McManus said he denied the allegations "wholeheartedly" and that he had co-operated fully with the inquiry.

In the statement he also asked people to pray for all those hurt by abuse and also to pray for him.

A statement from the Bishop of Down and Connor, Bishop Noel Treanor, confirmed that the allegations were first received six weeks ago on 27 January and a safeguarding team then reported the allegations to the police and social services the following day.

Bishop Treanor said that restrictions on Fr McManus' ministry and role in the diocese were discussed with and approved by the police, the social services and with the Diocesan Advisory Panel and that they met child-safeguarding concerns.

In the statement Bishop Treanor also said the PSNI had commenced an inquiry into the allegations, and that the diocese was fully co-operating with the police inquiry.

Earlier this week, survivors of 'historical' institutional abuse - such as that by nuns and priests - in Northern Ireland were helping to shape the way ahead for an official probe.

The first consultation with the NI Taskforce got underway on Tuesday as part of a plan to decide the format and remit of a proposed abuse inquiry.

Last December, the Stormont Executive announced that an inquiry into institutional abuse would be held following intensive lobbying of ministers by victims and have now said the official 'Interdepartmental Taskforce on Historical Institutional Abuse' consultation with victims and survivors is officially underway.

See: Clerical Abuse Consultation Underway

(JG/GK)