A PRIEST has said younger members of the clergy in Co Donegal are afraid to be seen in public because of the recent child abuse scandals.
Fr Paddy Dunne, communications officer with the Diocese of Raphoe, said young clerics were facing a very difficult time.
“I know of some younger priests who are afraid to come out or to be seen in public. They stay at home. I know priests in Dublin who have been spat on because they were recognised as priests, but thankfully that has not happened here.
“Some of the younger priests in Donegal feel ashamed because of what has happened in the past, the abuse,” he added. “It’s a shame because these younger lads didn’t know any of this stuff was going on and have no responsibility for it.”
Fr Dunne admitted the church was facing a “doomsday scenario” with a fall in the numbers of priests in Donegal. A number of parishes, including Drumkeen and Drumoghill, already do not have a priest because of a shortage in numbers.
He said such parishes would not have a full-time priest because of the shortage and because a number of priests were overseas.
“It’s definitely going to be a problem in the future. It’s very difficult for people because they are used to having a priest living among them as a member of their community.”
Fr Dunne said he did not know the extent of past sexual abuse by priests in Raphoe Diocese.
“I can only presume that all of that information will come out in the audits. I do know that Bishop Boyce handed over all the files. There is always the possibility that some details may not have been handed over, but if people know anything then they can contact the commission [on child abuse].”