Magee’s role as schools’ patron raises concern

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe has called on Bishop John Magee to reflect on the serious issues raised in last week’s report about his handling of clerical sex abuse in the diocese where he is patron to schools catering for 17,000 pupils.

There are almost 130 primary schools under Catholic patronage in the Diocese of Cloyne and Children’s Minister Barry Andrews has raised concerns about the bishop’s continuing role in that regard.

Mr O’Keeffe believes the contents of the report were “of serious import” but he stopped short of calling on him to step down.