Priest took teenage girl into presbytery

RISKING a scandal in the parish, a priest took a teenage girl into his presbytery.

The Ferns Report reveals that after allegations were made, Fr Z was questioned by Bishop Brendan Comiskey about the matter in February 1991.

The report said it did not appear any allegations of abuse were made against the priest.

The former Bishop of Ferns informed the priest that allegations had been made relating to his “priestly celibacy” after the 17-year-old girl had stayed in the presbytery.

“Fr Z readily admitted this and explained that his purpose in providing accommodation for Geraldine was to assist her at a time of crisis in her life.

“Fr Z vigorously justified his actions and the scandal which it might cause as being necessary for her welfare in spite of the risk of it being misconstrued,” said the report.

The bishop accepted the priest had not violated any law in “reaching out” to the girl, but queried the prudence of the priest’s action.

Fr Z is one of five priests mentioned in the appendix of the Murphy Report. But these cases were not investigated, as documentation relating to the cases arrived too late for inclusion in the report.

The report said it accepted the omission of documents, identified in an audit of diocesan files, “was due to a regrettable error on the part of the diocese and did not constitute the withholding of cooperation on its part.”

In one case a woman complained in early August 2005 that she had been sexually abused by two priests when she was a child.

The diocese reviewed the personnel file relating to the priest which resulted in the production of two letters relating to the woman without identifying her by name. The same file revealed a third letter in which it was alleged a young man had been abused by a priest as a child.

Bishop Comiskey told the inquiry he invited an anonymous caller, who suggested there may have been a sexual relationship between a Fr W and an underage girl, to come forward. But they did not.

“The files indicate some measure of dispute between Fr W and his parishioners but do not disclose any specific complaint of child sexual abuse,” said the report.

A woman whom the inquiry named Veronica complained of inappropriate sexual conduct by Fr X. However, in May 2002, she confirmed to the diocese the relationship with the priest took place when she was over 18. She insisted the matter should not be reopened “as it would cause embarrassment to her and to her family.”

Fr Y left priestly ministry some time after Bishop Comiskey ordered him to discontinue an arrangement with a fifth-year girl student, then aged about 16.

The report said a full examination of the files and documents relating to the cases which came to light subsequent to August 31, 2005, and the incorporation of the findings relating to them into the report, would have involved “an unacceptable delay.”

On the other hand, the inquiry was conscious that to omit any reference to the facts disclosed by this additional material “would invite concerns and suspicions which would be contrary to the public interest.”