Church Child Abuse Policy

Church plans talks to resolve impasse on child abuse policy
Monday September 20th 2004
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.

The invitation came as Archbishop Sean Brady said it was essential that the rights of everyone, including priests, be respected when an allegation is made.

He was speaking following a celebration at Clonmacnoise to mark the Pope's visit 25 years ago.

The row centres on whether the decision concerning the fate of alleged abusers should be made by the bishops and heads of religious orders or a panel of experts in child welfare.

In May, a detailed new child protection policy was presented to the Bishops and CORI (the Conference of Religious of Ireland) by Maureen Lynott, whose group was appointed to draw up the policy by the bishops and CORI.

One of the group's key recommendations was that allegations of child abuse should be passed on to a child protection committee run by professionals, as happens in the Dublin diocese. However, the proposal has met with resistance from some members of both CORI and the hierarchy.

On Friday, Bishop Colm O'Reilly, the head of a steering committee charged with reviewing the new policy, wrote to Ms Lynott inviting her to discuss the impasse. Ms Lynott last night said she was willing to take part in the meeting and that she viewed the invitation as "constructive".

The letter from Bishop O'Reilly pointed out that the Church has had improved child protection procedures in place since July last year. This is an interim measure pending the implementation of the recommendations of the Lynott group.

David Quinn