Time to look again at the legacy of St John Paul II and his indifference to, and protection of, sex abusers

The failure of the Vatican to take action against Eamonn Casey and other members of the clergy was typical of the policy under the Polish pope

Bishop Eamonn Casey: Long before his affair with Annie Murphy was exposed, revealing his double life, serious allegations of abuse had been made against him, including the sexual abuse of his own niece. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

The arrogance and indifference that were such central features of Bishop Eamonn Casey’s persona were characteristics fuelled and facilitated by his superiors in Rome — beginning with Pope John Paul II.

The failure on the part of the Vatican to take decisive action against Casey, against whom several serious complaints of sexual abuse had been made before his secret affair with Annie Murphy was exposed in 1992, was typical of the policy that prevailed under the Polish pope.