The report by Judge Frank Murphy into the rape and sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests in the diocese of Ferns over a period of 40 years is a shocking indictment of the Church authorities concerned.
As happened with cases of sexual abuse against children in State and religious-run institutions during the same period, the responses by those in authority to these criminal acts was wholly inadequate, involving clerical transfers, cover-ups and denials, while paedophiles went on to destroy the lives of other vulnerable children.
One of the most distressing aspects of the abuse of children by priests and members of religious orders has been the manner in which victims and their families were treated. Rather than receive unconditional support following their traumatic experiences, they were frequently accused of lying. The authorities of church and State closed ranks against them. Given this background, it is no surprise that a large number of committed Catholics still find it difficult to believe that members of the clergy could behave in such a fashion.
It is easy to apportion blame with the benefit of hindsight. But blame is a poor response to these scandals. What is required is the introduction of robust reporting, education and administration systems at church and State level in order to protect children and to alert those in authority to paedophiliac activities. In particular, the measures adopted by the present Apostolic Administrator of Ferns, Bishop Eamonn Walsh, in requiring priests to stand aside from the active ministry, pending full investigations, should be adopted by other dioceses.
Those who talk about bringing closure to these events and moving on are not being realistic. The sexual abuse of children by churchmen and laymen did not start in the diocese of Ferns 40 years ago. Such criminal activity has been widespread in our society. And it will not stop now that this report has been published. The main defences against it - however inadequate - will be new procedures, prosecutions and eternal vigilance.
The only reassuring aspect of the report is the finding that current practices in the diocese of Ferns provide a high level of child protection. For that, Bishop Walsh deserves full credit. The responses by his predecessors to a veritable torrent of allegations against 26 priests by more than 100 children were wholly inadequate. The late Bishop Donal Herlihy not only ordained seminarians against whom allegations of sexual abuse had been made, but when they subsequently offended, he appointed them to curacies. The report recognised the difficulties Bishop Brendan Comiskey experienced in dealing with abusive priests between 1984 and 2002, but it expressly criticises his failure to remove them from active ministry and to deny them access to children.
Failures by the hierarchy and the criminal activity of some priests have damaged the trust between the Catholic Church and its flock. Children and families suffered grievously. It must not be allowed to happen again.