Bishop confirms role of ‘judge’ in two abuse cases

THE Bishop of Killaloe has confirmed he was one of three ‘judges’ asked to investigate allegations of sexual abuse against two priests in a secret hearing in the Dublin Archdiocese 20 years ago.

In a statement, Bishop Willie Walsh said: “On two occasions, prior to my being appointed Bishop of Killaloe, I was asked by the then Archbishop of Dublin to act as one of three judges in a canonical process involving allegations of sexual abuse against two priests of that diocese. In the first case, that of William Carney, our judgment was that the most severe penalty in Church law namely laicisation or expulsion from priesthood be applied.

“In carrying out the process we met with a number of complainants. When the complainant was still a minor he/she was always accompanied by parents. No commitment to secrecy was requested. I was made aware that the gardaí and the diocese were already in communication about the case before the canonical process began. I did not understand it as part of my role therefore to liaise with the gardaí... If I were dealing with the case today I would do so. The two other judges in the case have since died. I am not aware of any further abuse by the priest after the canonical process was completed,” the bishop said.

He said the second case in the Dublin diocese he was involved in was examined by the Murphy Commission and he is “precluded by law from revealing anything related to this case” as yet.

“While I was not involved in any such process in our own diocese, I too, as a younger priest, was part of that oppressive culture of secrecy and undue deference to ecclesiastical authorities.

“For that part and for the disastrously inadequate response of our Church to the heinous crime of child sex abuse I will always carry a sense of sadness, regret and shame. I again apologise to all victims of abuse but especially to any victim who may have suffered through any failure on my part,” Bishop Walsh said.