Child porn priest went on to hold senior role

A Catholic priest who admitted accessing child pornography was allowed to rise to a senior position in his order and remained in the post until recently.

The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church last year sought an urgent review of the case, warning that the man posed a risk.

“His proximity to children, unrestricted/ unmonitored use of electronic equipment, and his perceived position of authority and responsibility, may increase that risk,” it said.

The Discalced Carmelite friar admitted “substantial” access to child pornography on “multiple occasions”. He was reported to gardaí but not convicted.

Fr A, as he is referred to in the NBSCCC report dated last October, was sent for numerous psychological assessments over 17 years but continued ministry at a school. He then took over as acting prior where he lived and was holding that role up to the intervention by the NBSCCC. It said the order took “immediate corrective action” when challenged.

The order is one of nine to have child protection policies examined in the latest series of reviews. Board CEO Teresa Devlin said she was disappointed with the findings. “Of the nine, only two orders have demonstrated good compliance with the [safeguarding] standards,” she said.

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said he found some of the reports “appalling”.