Canon law abhors the crime of paedophilia

AS a canon law adviser to the Ferns inquiry, I wish categorically to dispel some of the myths and correct the erroneous misinformation regarding the relationship between canon law and civil law with respect to paedophilia.

Firstly, no priest, religious or bishop as a citizen of the State is exempt from civil law, much less the civil law that pertains to the crime of paedophilia.

Those clerics who commit such crimes must face the penalties imposed by the State for such offences.