Madam, - Important matters need to be kept in mind regarding Nuala O'Loan's article concerning false allegations being made against priests and how they are subsequently treated by the church (March 14th).
Firstly, it is certainly a horrendous trauma for any person, priest or otherwise, to be falsely accused of the crime of child sexual abuse.
The agencies and enforcers of the law should do everything necessary to protect citizens from false accusations and punish severely those responsible for making them.
If an allegation of child abuse is found to be false, the good name and reputation of the person thus victimised should be restored as speedily and publicly as possible.
Nevertheless, there is a danger, reading Nuala O'Loan, of losing perspective in these matters.
False accusations against members of the clergy do occur but they are rare.
Furthermore, an accused priest, falsely or otherwise, continues to be financially supported by his diocese and provided with accommodation, etc.
They are not, as Mrs O'Loan seems to think, rendered homeless and penniless.Indeed, in many cases, those priests who have actually been found guilty of abuse continue to be supported by their respective dioceses or religious congregations.
There is a grave danger that sexual predators among the clergy and in other walks of life will take solace from Mrs O'Loan's words for, in their own eyes, they are all "falsely accused".
Sexual predators, including clerical abusers, are notorious for the extent of their lies and the depth of their denial.
It cannot be emphasised enough - false allegations are rare because of how difficult it is for victims to come forward.
This is certainly true in the case of those whose abusers were or are clergy.
However, counsellors and therapists with expertise can detect psychological forensic evidence of abuse having been perpetrated, such as symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
In the present situation within the church, the only ones who have real cause for concern are those, as yet undetected, who are truly guilty of sexually abusing children and young people.
These know, in their heart of hearts, that a day of reckoning has come.
In the case of an innocent priest falsely accused, although he will suffer greatly, the Truth is on his side. - Yours, etc,
Fr PATRICK McCAFFERTY, Glen Road, Belfast