Pope sacks priests

Pope sacks priests
Pope John Paul blessing pilgrims yesterday during his weekly general audience at the Vatican. The Pontiff himself signed the decree dismissing the two Ferns priests.

Thursday December 16th 2004

No appeal: Vatican orders dismissal of two convicted Ferns diocese abusers

THE Pope has dismissed two priests from the Ferns diocese who were convicted of sexual abuse by the courts, the Irish Independent has learned.

It is understood to be the first time the Pope has directly dismissed Irish priests in this way.

The move follows the Vatican's decision in 2001 to introduce new procedures to 'fast-track' the dismissal of priests judged to have committed a range of offences.

The decision comes after an application to the Vatican by the acting Bishop of the diocese, Dr Eamonn Walsh, to have the two men removed from "the clerical state".

The men will, however, continue to liaise with the diocese to minimise the chances of them ever offending again.

Although the two men dismissed by the Pope have not been named, to date the only priests of the Ferns diocese convicted of sexual abuse are James Doyle and Donal Collins.

Donal Collins was given a four-year sentence in 1998, with three years being suspended, for indecent assault and gross indecency against teenage boys. In 1990 James Doyle was convicted of indecent assault on a teenage boy and given a suspended sentence of one year.

The decree was signed last month by Pope John Paul himself in accordance with canon law. It is understood the diocese was informed within the last few days. The two men have been informed.

In response to queries, a spokesman for Bishop Walsh told the Irish Independent last night: "The diocese confirms that two priests previously convicted of child sexual abuse have been dismissed from the clerical state.

"The dismissal of a priest from the clerical state is a supreme decision of the Holy Father".

A 'supreme' decision means it cannot be appealed.

The spokesman continued: "The decree of dismissal imposes the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state and loss of all rights, ecclesiastical titles and offices associated with the clerical state."

However, he stressed: "The diocese has supervisory structures in place for priests against whom allegations have been received. This supervisory contact will continue in both cases. The diocese meets on an ongoing basis with the Garda and the health board on child protection measures and it will continue to consult with these supervisory bodies."

It is understood Bishop Walsh sent the cases of the two men to Rome earlier this year.

The cases were sent in the first place to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), which is arguably the Vatican's most powerful department and is headed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Church's 'doctrinal guardian'.

It is the job of the CDF to assess such cases and then, if it judges it to be the proper action, it will recommend to the Pope that the person or persons in question be dismissed from the clerical state.

If the Pope agrees, this means that to all intents and purposes, the person is no longer a priest and can no longer carry out any of the functions of a priest.

A report on the scandals is shortly to be released by Health Minister Mary Harney.

David Quinn
Religious Affairs Correspondent

? Irish Independent
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/ & http://www.unison.ie/