Victims' support group wants investigations in every diocese
One in Four is calling for investigations to be carried out into every diocese in the country following the release of the report into mishandling of clerical abuse allegations in the diocese of Cloyne, Co Cork.
It has emerged that the Catholic Bishop responsible for child protection in the diocese of Cloyne was himself investigated over a complaint of inappropriate behaviour.
The 421-page report has also criticised Bishop John Magee's handling of abuse complaints as "inadequate and inappropriate".
The damning report has also found Bishop Magee lied to the Government and the HSE and misled people by creating two different accounts of a meeting he held with an accused priest.
One in Four, the support group for victims of clerical sex abuse, said the "shocking and distressing" findings of today's report show that Cloyne was not in compliance with the Church's own policies.
Meave Lewis, the Director of One in Four, believes the same level of "cover-up and endangerment" of children may exist elsewhere.
Sinn Féin has called on the Government to "immediately haul in the Papal Nuncio" and demand to know why the Vatican facilitated bishops to ignore procedures that were to protect children from abuse.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said: "The Vatican cannot be left to think it can direct the Church to ignore rules here."
