Opposition says Churchhas moral obligation to pay half of compensation

THE Church has a moral obligation to pay half of the €1.3 billion compensation package being offered to the thousands of victims subjected to rape and brutality while in its care, the opposition last night insisted.

A sombre and emotionally charged Leaders Questions saw the Dáil reflect on the horrific findings of the Ryan report into systematic clerical abuse of children in industrial schools.

Brian Cowen agreed the religious orders involved in the systematic reign of terror and paedophilia children were exposed to had a duty to provide more towards the compensation bill, as Labour and Fine Gael called for all-party pressure to be brought to bear.