Menu
10/04/2002
Roman Catholic sex abuse audit to go back to 1940
An internal inquiry into child sex abuse within the 26 dioceses of the Catholic Church in Ireland will investigate allegations dating back more than 60 years it has emerged.
The news follows an emergency meeting at Maynooth when the church revealed it was establishing its own inquiry into how it dealt with such complaints.
They are to examine files stretching back as far as 1940 to see how the Catholic Church handled complaints of child sex abuse.
On Monday April 8 the church’s 30 bishops in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland met at an extraordinary general meeting to discuss their contribution to the Irish Government’s inquiry into alleged abuse by priests.
The Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, has already said an independent audit will be held into the controversy surrounding the alleged abuse.
The terms and reference of the audit are still being drawn up.
The internal audit comes hot on the heels of allegations that a Catholic priest, Father Sean Fortune, who committed suicide three years ago, sexually abused children.
On Saturday, the Pope accepted the resignation of Dr Brendan Comiskey, the Bishop of Ferns in County Wexford.
Dr Comiskey resigned after criticisms emerged of how he handled the case of Father Fortune.
Dr Comiskey admitted he had not done enough to protect children in his County Wexford diocese.
(AMcE)
The news follows an emergency meeting at Maynooth when the church revealed it was establishing its own inquiry into how it dealt with such complaints.
They are to examine files stretching back as far as 1940 to see how the Catholic Church handled complaints of child sex abuse.
On Monday April 8 the church’s 30 bishops in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland met at an extraordinary general meeting to discuss their contribution to the Irish Government’s inquiry into alleged abuse by priests.
The Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, has already said an independent audit will be held into the controversy surrounding the alleged abuse.
The terms and reference of the audit are still being drawn up.
The internal audit comes hot on the heels of allegations that a Catholic priest, Father Sean Fortune, who committed suicide three years ago, sexually abused children.
On Saturday, the Pope accepted the resignation of Dr Brendan Comiskey, the Bishop of Ferns in County Wexford.
Dr Comiskey resigned after criticisms emerged of how he handled the case of Father Fortune.
Dr Comiskey admitted he had not done enough to protect children in his County Wexford diocese.
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 December 2009
McGimpsey And Bishops Discuss Abuse
After the recently uncovered cases of child abuse within the Catholic Church in Dublin by the Murphy Report, a dialogue between bishops and NI-based politicians continues, writes Carla Liébana.
McGimpsey And Bishops Discuss Abuse
After the recently uncovered cases of child abuse within the Catholic Church in Dublin by the Murphy Report, a dialogue between bishops and NI-based politicians continues, writes Carla Liébana.
18 March 2010
Pope's Clerical Abuse Letter On Way
Pope Benedict XVI Benedict has announced that he will sign his long awaited pastoral letter dealing with paedophilia in Ireland tomorrow. The news comes as the Catholic Church is again being rocked by another scandal regarding alleged child abuse.
Pope's Clerical Abuse Letter On Way
Pope Benedict XVI Benedict has announced that he will sign his long awaited pastoral letter dealing with paedophilia in Ireland tomorrow. The news comes as the Catholic Church is again being rocked by another scandal regarding alleged child abuse.
09 July 2019
Tributes As Abuse Inquiry Chair Dies
Tributes have been paid following the sudden death of Sir Anthony Hart, the chairman of the Historical Abuse Inquiry. The former high court judge was 73 when he passed away in London this morning, Tuesday 09 July.
Tributes As Abuse Inquiry Chair Dies
Tributes have been paid following the sudden death of Sir Anthony Hart, the chairman of the Historical Abuse Inquiry. The former high court judge was 73 when he passed away in London this morning, Tuesday 09 July.
06 December 2016
PSNI Probes Child Sex Abuse Claims Linked To Football
The PSNI have confirmed they are investigating allegations of historic child sex abuse linked to football clubs in Northern Ireland. A PSNI spokesperson said: "We have had a very small number of allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse linked to football clubs.
PSNI Probes Child Sex Abuse Claims Linked To Football
The PSNI have confirmed they are investigating allegations of historic child sex abuse linked to football clubs in Northern Ireland. A PSNI spokesperson said: "We have had a very small number of allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse linked to football clubs.
07 December 2016
Former Football Coach Arrested Over Alleged Sex Abuse Claims
The PSNI have arrested a former football coach over alleged sex abuse claims. Jim McCafferty who lives in Belfast handed himself into Musgrave Police Station. A police spokesperson said: "A 71-year-old male has been arrested by detectives after presenting himself at a station in Belfast.
Former Football Coach Arrested Over Alleged Sex Abuse Claims
The PSNI have arrested a former football coach over alleged sex abuse claims. Jim McCafferty who lives in Belfast handed himself into Musgrave Police Station. A police spokesperson said: "A 71-year-old male has been arrested by detectives after presenting himself at a station in Belfast.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
