Bishop’s stance insults child abuse victims

IN his letter (January 1), Daithí Ó Scannláin says Bishop John Magee is “being lynched by the press and that we don’t know his side of the story”.

I strongly disagree. It has become quite clear from the report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children that serious questions need to be answered by the Catholic Church, and especially by Bishop Magee regarding the lack of protection of children in his diocese.

The psychological and emotional effects of child sexual abuse on the victim are very serious and long-lasting, often enduring for a victim’s entire life and sometimes resulting even in suicide due to loss of self-esteem and guilt feelings around the abuse.