Watchdog: Many clerical abusers ’isolated or unfulfilled’

Many priests who admit to or who are found guilty of child sex abuse also have addictions, feel isolated or unfulfilled, while others are narcissistic or worryingly needy, according to the Church’s child protection watchdog.

In its annual report, the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCCI) says it would be “wrong” to conclude these behaviours led someone to abuse a child but warns their “presence cannot be ignored and must be considered as part of the treatment and management plan”.

Teresa Devlin has taken over at the helm of the NBSCCI from Ian Elliott and her role on the board for the past five years and as CEO for the past six years had made her believe the board “needs to influence [priest] formation programmes”.