Former bishop of Galway Dr Eamonn Casey has said he has no problem with apologising for the past, write Patsy McGarry and Lorna Siggins in Beagh, Co Galway
Speaking to The Irish Times yesterday about the announcement of his return to Ireland, he said he had done so before but would do so again. "I clearly did apologise, and will again. I have no problem with it. It is not an issue," he said.
Yesterday Bishop of Galway Dr Martin Drennan said of Bishop Casey: "I think in some way he has let the church down and that requires some admission of guilt. Yes, I think a public apology would be very welcome in that sense."
While Dr Casey will not have a pastoral role, the parish priest in the Co Galway village where he will live said Dr Casey's involvement in the parish would be welcome.
Dr Casey told The Irish Times on Saturday that he has not been contacted by gardaí or police in Britain, or by health authorities in either jurisdiction, in connection with child sex abuse allegations made against him by a middle-aged woman last November.
She claimed the abuse took place over three decades ago in Ireland and has made similar unproven allegations against others in the past.
Dr Casey, who has vigorously denied the allegations and is said to be profoundly distressed by them, has indicated he will not be returning to Ireland until formally notified by civil and church authorities that the investigation has been completed and he has been cleared.
Regarding an apology he recalled a statement he issued days after he resigned in May 1992 when he said: "I have confessed my sins to God and I have asked His forgiveness, as I ask yours."
In November 1993, during a Sunday Tribune interview with the late Veronica Guerin, he repeated the apology and said he regretted "deeply the hurt I have caused to so many people, especially Annie [Murphy] and Peter [his son]."
It is understood Dr Casey and his son Peter (31) are long since reconciled and have developed a close relationship.
They meet regularly. Contact between Dr Casey and Annie Murphy is minimal but without animosity on either side.
Fr Patrick Callanan, parish priest in Beagh in Co Galway where Dr Casey will live, said at Mass yesterday that he would be "delighted to let him get involved in the parish", when he has been cleared of the allegations. "I will also be able to avail of his advice when the occasion demands."
Parishioners confirmed that they had been consulted beforehand by Fr Callanan about Dr Casey's move there. They welcomed it and hoped he would take up pastoral duties."He will be very welcome, and it is just a pity he didn't come straight here after all that happened 14 years ago," said Gerry Murray.