Pope’s belated apology to Ferns sex abuse victims

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has welcomed Pope Benedict’s comments on child sex abuse by priests in the Diocese of Ferns despite the reservations of child protection campaigners about the timing and content of the Vatican’s response.

Speaking while visiting the Co Wexford diocese yesterday, Mr Ahern said he hoped the Pope’s remarks, in which he said he regretted the hurt caused to victims, would assist those who had suffered abuse.

“He said the anguish caused to the church and the victims was something deeply upsetting to him,” said Mr Ahern. “Hopefully these words will be of some considerable help.”

New Ross farmer, Billy Moroney, who was the first to go to Gardaí to report suspicions about abuser priests in Co Wexford as far back as 1983, said however that people had a right to expect a response from the Vatican a year ago following publication of the damning Ferns Report.

“I suppose an apology is welcome at any time. Better late than never. But it is very late for an apology and if we had heard it come from the Pope’s own lips, it might have been more comfort to the victims,” he said.

“We must remember that those people were doubly abused. They suffered horrendous abuse at the hands of members of the clergy here in Co Wexford and then they suffered more abuse from the authorities, both church and State.

“It took so long to have anything done about it. That was very hurtful, very painful for the victims who were put in a position where people doubted them and people in authority ignored them, ignored them studiously.”

Mr Moroney was speaking after Pope Benedict told Bishop of Ferns Denis Brennan at a special meeting of all the Irish bishops in Rome that he felt personal “anguish and horror” at the “incomprehensible behaviour” of abuser priests in the diocese.

Diocesan director of communications, Fr John Carroll, insisted that local reaction to Pope Benedict’s comments was good, despite what Mr Moroney said.

“We do not comment on individuals but the response from the faithful has been very, very positive,” he said.

The bishops will remain in Rome until tomorrow but today Archbishop Sean Brady will deliver an address to the Pope.