THE chairman of the Ferns Council of Priests, Fr William Cosgrave, has described yesterday's meeting between a priests' delegation and Bishop Brendan Comiskey as "very friendly and pleasant".
Fr Cosgrave said the delegation of three priests had been sent by the Council of Priests to put the feelings and views of the priests of Ferns, as reflected at the council's meeting last month, to Dr Comiskey, and to "share with him what we'd heard on the ground among the people".
He said it was not part of their brief to quiz the bishop about any specific allegations over his handling of child sex abuse or financial matters.
Fr Cosgrave said they conveyed to the bishop the feelings of the people of the diocese ranging from sadness through disillusion and confusion to anger in the face of five months of unanswered questions and speculation.
He said they had also told him that some damage had been caused to the sense of loyalty to the church in the diocese.
They had told him of the views of the priests and people about, his return and his future as Bishop of Ferns. Fr Cosgrave said there were three broad views on this one group was fully supportive of the bishop another said their view depended on what answers he gave to the outstanding questions and the third said his credibility was now so low that he should retire with dignity.
Fr Cosgrave said Bishop Comiskey had listened quietly and patiently to what they had to say, much of which he had clearly already heard.
The meeting lasted half an hour and took place at a house away from the bishop's own house in Wexford to avoid undue media attention.
It is not expected that Bishop Comiskey will answer questions from the media before the end of the week.