Catholic hierarchy in clash over 'abuse' documents

The Catholic hierarchy in Ireland was preparing tonight for a potentially bitter courtroom row involving two of its most senior clerics.

In a remarkable twist to a long-running state inquiry into clerical child sex abuse, Cardinal Desmond Connell has asked the court to block the release of secret church files.

More than 60,000 documents have already been handed over by Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin but the Cardinal maintains he never agreed to it.

The unprecedented and public row will play out in Dublin’s High Court on Monday and sparked concerns of a massive rift in the upper levels of the Church.

The documents relate to complaints against paedophile priests.

In an effort to dampen suggestions of a rift in the Church’s highest ranks, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Dr Eamonn Walsh said it was a legal argument and not personal.

“This is about legal issues, not about personalities,” he said.

But victims of clerical abuse were not as quick to dismiss it and warned that secrecy would raise suspicions of a cover-up.

Support group One-in-Four branded the court action cynical and a slap in the face for those awaiting the truth about paedophile priests.

The group’s advocacy director Deirdre Fitzpatrick said: “It poses the main question: what is the Cardinal attempting to hide?

“Again it creates suspicion and again it creates a belief that there is some kind of cover-up. What is getting created now is that there is something huge here.”

The High Court in Dublin granted a temporary order blocking release of the files yesterday and will hold a full a judicial review on the discovery issue on Monday.

It is understood the documents contain correspondence between the Cardinal and his solicitor when he was Archbishop of Dublin between 1988 and 2004.

Some letters relate to legal advice given after claims of child sexual abuse were made, while others include discussions on insurance.

Allegations of sexual abuse have been made against more than 100 priests who served in the Archdiocese of Dublin.

In response, the Government set up the Commission of Investigation into Clerical Sexual Abuse in 2006 to examine the handling of allegations and Archbishop Martin agreed last year to hand over related documents.

Some 66,583 files have been given and the inquiry is due to finish in September.

Archbishop Martin has continually voiced his support for openness on clerical child sex abuse and the Cardinal himself called for the truth in order to bring justice to the sufferers.

His court action is based on the belief that certain documents, possibly up to 5,000, are confidential. The Commission, chaired by a judge, was expected to decide if they had legal privilege but the Cardinal has demanded a High Court ruling.

The Cardinal, who is being treated in hospital in Rome following a fall on Tuesday night, had been expected to return to Ireland tomorrow.

He is regarded as close to Pope Benedict after they served together on a number of congregations.

In a statement, the Dublin Archdiocese said it hoped the matter could be resolved quickly.

“The overarching aim of all must be that of attaining a more accurate understanding of the truth concerning sexual abuse of children by clergy,” it said.

The Cardinal’s legal team declined to comment ahead of Monday’s hearing.

Bishop Walsh also accused the media of putting spin on the court battle and said it was in everybody’s interest to fully co-operate with the inquiry.

The Commission is examining allegations against a sample of 46 priests but cannot rule on guilt and will only make findings on the Church’s response to complaints.