Bishop confirms role of ‘judge’ in two abuse cases
In a statement, Bishop Willie Walsh said: “On two occasions, prior to my being appointed Bishop of Killaloe, I was asked by the then Archbishop of Dublin to act as one of three judges in a canonical process involving allegations of sexual abuse against two priests of that diocese. In the first case, that of William Carney, our judgment was that the most severe penalty in Church law namely laicisation or expulsion from priesthood be applied.
“In carrying out the process we met with a number of complainants. When the complainant was still a minor he/she was always accompanied by parents. No commitment to secrecy was requested. I was made aware that the gardaí and the diocese were already in communication about the case before the canonical process began. I did not understand it as part of my role therefore to liaise with the gardaí... If I were dealing with the case today I would do so. The two other judges in the case have since died. I am not aware of any further abuse by the priest after the canonical process was completed,” the bishop said.
