Church assets to fund victims' payout

CHURCH assets will be sold if necessary to meet the costs of compensating victims of clerical sex abuse, the Auxiliary Bishop of Ferns Eamonn Walsh has confirmed.

Speaking at a closed financial meeting in the diocese, Bishop Walsh said that 23 settlements have been reached with victims and a number of other cases are outstanding. He again apologised to the victims of clerical sexual abuse.

Despite all the controversy, he said churchgoers in the diocese are digging deeper and parish contributions in Ferns increased by €6,000 last year. But the Church's finances are coming under strain, Bishop Walsh said.

"Regarding settlements and the finances of the diocese, there have been 23 settlements in the diocese and the total cost to date has been €3,826,350," he said.

The diocese is currently involved in litigation proceedings with 13 people, some of which will be resolved through mediation.

Bishop Walsh promised that Church assets will be sold if necessary to meet the cost of meeting such claims. "Retention of fixed assets will not get in the way of finding lasting solutions. The fixed assets to which I am referring are not parish assets, they are non-parish fixed assets, namely St Peter's College Seminary buildings and lands, St Peter's College lands at Coolcotts, Bishop's House at Summerhill and St Peter's College agricultural lands at Killuger, Kilmacree and Killinick," he added.

He said most of the settlement have been funded from the Stewardship Fund of the Irish Bishop's Conference.

"I would like to acknowledge the generosity of the other dioceses in Ireland to us here in Ferns. To date the diocese has received €2,467,108 from this source... The remainder has come from insurance and from bank borrowings."

Bishop Walsh said the treatment of offenders has also involved major costs.

"If an offender can come to understand the damage he or she has caused - and is still capable of causing - the chances of re-offending are reduced. It is expensive, but what price can be put on the opposite, where a life is ruined and something that might have been prevented isn't? It's not easy to grasp this, but all the advice shows that child protection requires treatment of offenders, and pretty thorough treatment at that."

Since April 2002, the treatment of offenders, assessments and monitoring has cost the diocese €267,467. That treatment has been funded from monies the diocese had at its disposal but are now exhausted. These included borrowings and contributions from those accused.

The Bishop said clerical sexual abuse has rocked the Diocese of Ferns to its core and much of the abuse could and should have been avoided.

"The story of child sexual abuse involving priests of the diocese of Ferns is a truly shocking one. It is a story of betrayal and horror, it is a story of deep pain and incredible suffering, cruelly inflicted on the most vulnerable. Worse still, it is something that could - in some places at least - have been avoided. It is vital that we remember that there are faces behind the words we have heard from victims; there is pain and suffering still being felt, and the diocese has fully accepted its responsibilities in this area."

Payouts in Ferns

* 23 settlements have been reached with victims of clerical sexual abuse.

* They have cost €3,826,350 to date and a further 13 claims are outstanding.

* The Stewardship Fund from the Irish Bishops' Conference has provided €2,467,108 to meet the cost of claims.

* The treatment of offenders has cost the diocese €267,467 since April 2002.