The Primate of the Irish Church, Archbishop Sean Brady, announced on 13 March that the Catholic bishops of Northern Ireland meeting for their general assembly at Maynooth have declared their total willingness to investigate suspected cases of paedophilia involving priests and religious. Since 2005, with the publication of the document “Our Children: Our Church”, the Catholic Church has been working to this end, in collaboration with the Department for Social Services, the police and a series of other organizations devoted to the care and protection of children. According to data published today by the Irish Bishops’ Conference, between 1965 and the present day, out of 2000 diocesan priests, 47 have been the subject of “accusations not accompanied by proofs” of sexual abuse on minors allegedly perpetrated by the clergy. As far as the members of the religious orders are concerned (3200), 34 accusations have been brought against them. “The well-being and the protection of children and vulnerable adults said Archbishop Brady are a priority for the Catholic Church in Ireland”. Apart from announcing the Irish bishops’ determination to throw as much light as possible on the cases in question, the archbishop recalled that “many parishes” are already collaborating: 40 of them have even set up committees for the protection of minors. Lastly, Archbishop Brady announced that the Church will promote a seminar in Belfast on protecting minors and caring for the victims of abuse.
