Breaking news: Bishop of Derry involved in (yet another) abuse cover-up (in 2000)

Rebelheart

Pat Kenny mentioned this story from today's Belfast Telegraph this morning when talking to Andrew Madden.

The very important aspect of this, as Madden mentioned with despair, is that the CC claims that their new rules came into place in 1996 and that such things have not happened since. In fact, this was the line which the Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh, Gerard Clifford, said to Kenny on the same show 5 minutes beforehand.

However, in 2000 a secret deal was reached between Séamus Hegarty, now Bishop of Derry, the paedophile priest and the victim who had been abused as an 8-year-old girl:

"The action was settled in 2000 without admission of liability by the Church, but with a payment of £12,000 to the alleged victim and a handwritten letter of apology from the priest."

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/ulster-bishop-hegartys--secret-deal-on-sex-abuse-case-14728777.html#ixzz0iXJW6Mo1


Is there anybody in the entire hierarchy who is not tarnished by this? Will this ever end?

The Irish Times and RTÉ have picked up on this story:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0318/abuse.html

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0318/breaking37.html

Biggins

Aye, was reading that this morning here: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/bishop-of-derry-in-secret-deal-on-abuse-case-2103647.html
Tips of the Iceberg I'm afraid...

Probably loads more cases out there where kids/victims have been made swear to secrecy.
Open your mouth - your excommunicated!

funk-you

Why are you shocked? Sure the church would never conceal any inconvenient truths. Great bunch of lads altogether.

-Funk

Gone Drinking

Yesssss, another pedo priest cover up to embarrass Ireland.

MackDeToaster

I had sent this quick rant off elsewhere this morning, after hearing that it seems like it might still be relevant....

Given that the head of the Catholic Church broke probably two laws regarding the reporting of offences, one of which, the Offences Against the State Act of 1939, is still in force, and that Monsignor Dooley stated just this very week on BBC Radio ( http://tinyurl.com/yg2btmq ) that he would in many cases not report similar offences of child sexual abuse and rape, in clear contravention of current law and also breaking the supposed new Catholic Church guidelines on the reporting of such crimes, I would ask who we are supposed to trust and how can we ensure that children are currently being protected ?

Just how many other priests and clergy are out there who would do the same, that is to hold canon law as being superior to civil law, and willingly break the laws of this state ? How can we trust any promises of change that they have made, when they speak weasel words and indulge in 'mental reservations' ?

I would ask what other institution has members who stand up and willingly say they will break the law on these the most serious of crimes, and not be disbanded, and just what are the State and the Gardai, who represent the people and the children of Ireland, doing to deal with these almost unbelievable developments ? Are there priests and bishops out there right now who are still sheltering and hiding child abusers and rapists ?

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Breaking news alright... it's breaking my heart knowing these cnuts won't get true justice.

Outrage

Lol. Can't get traction on Cardinal Brady, so now the angry mob try to pick on someone else.

Pathetic.

Outrage

Biggins wrote: »

Probably loads more cases out there where kids/victims have been made swear to secrecy.
Open your mouth - your excommunicated!

Not necessarily. It is extremely rare that an oath under the threat of excommunication needs to be made. I'm sure there are plenty who have already made out of court settlements (i.e. legal agreements) and now see a bigger gravy train coming their way.

Biggins

Outrage wrote: »

Lol. Can't get traction on Cardinal Brady, so now the angry mob try to pick on someone else.

Pathetic.

Well to be honest, if Brady is starting to stall and hope for the best that things will blow over in the coming (reflection!!!) time period he has asked for, this case alone will keep such "swearing of victims" highlighted in the public more so, even longer.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Outrage wrote: »

Lol. Can't get traction on Cardinal Brady, so now the angry mob try to pick on someone else.

Pathetic.

Em... woot?

Outrage wrote: »

Not necessarily. It is extremely rare that an oath under the threat of excommunication needs to be made. I'm sure there are plenty who have already made out of court settlements (i.e. legal agreements) and now see a bigger gravy train coming their way.

Yea, that's it, all the buggered children just want a few bob for their troubles... :rolleyes:

Cheap Thrills!

Damn those 8 year olds and their gravy train!!! :rolleyes:

Biggins

Outrage wrote: »

Not necessarily. It is extremely rare that an oath under the threat of excommunication needs to be made. I'm sure there are plenty who have already made out of court settlements (i.e. legal agreements) and now see a bigger gravy train coming their way.

Well to be honest, there must be that much cases that the present pope created a ruling with catholic law that to speck out meant excommunication.

The pontiff's role in policing procedures for dealing with child abuse was well-documented in the BBC Panorama documentary Sex Crimes and The Vatican in 2006.

The documentary presented by child abuse survivor and Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland revealed how the then Cardinal Ratzinger wrote to Catholic bishops in 2001 to remind them of the penalties for leaking details of inquiries into offences such as clerical sex abuse

The then cardinal issued a secret Vatican edict to Catholic bishops all over the world, instructing them to put the Church's interests ahead of child safety, the BBC reported. The document recommended that rather than reporting sexual abuse to the relevant legal authorities, bishops should encourage the victim, witnesses and perpetrator not to talk about it.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/299368,irish-victims-of-child-abuse-angry-at-vatican-response--feature.html#ixzz0i5GG0SI1

If there was ONLY a few cases that they knew of, they wouldn't have went to the bother!

Outrage

Biggins wrote: »

Well to be honest, if Brady is starting to stall and hope for the best that things will blow over in the coming (reflection!!!) time period he has asked for, this case alone will keep such "swearing of victims" highlighted in the public more so, even longer.

Cardinal Brady is going through a process of deep prayer, contemplation, communication and discussion at the moment. He will be guided by the Holy Spirit through this challenging journey (probably the most challenging of his life). I am praying that the 71 year-old remains strong at this time of great personal anguish, and that he does the right thing. History teaches us that very often, the right thing is not always the most popular thing. He is a man of great wisdom and experience (not to mention that he is guarded by the Holy Spirit) and I have every confidence that his mind, words and deeds will work as God wills.

Cardinal Brady said in his sermon yesterday that the current times are the most challenging for the Irish Catholic Church since the time of St Patrick. That is quite a profound statement for a Cardinal to make and just goes to show how serious this situation really is.

MaybeLogic

Outrage wrote: »

Cardinal Brady is going through a process of deep prayer, contemplation, communication and discussion at the moment. He will be guided by the Holy Spirit through this challenging journey (probably the most challenging of his life). I am praying that the 71 year-old remains strong at this time of great personal anguish, and that he does the right thing. History teaches us that very often, the right thing is not always the most popular thing. He is a man of great wisdom and experience (not to mention that he is guarded by the Holy Spirit) and I have every confidence that his mind will work as God wills.

What a load of twaddle.
Pity the Holy Spirit didn't guide him to do the right thing 35 years ago or at any time during the intervening period.

Biggins

Outrage wrote: »

Cardinal Brady is going through a process of deep prayer, contemplation, communication and discussion at the moment. He will be guided by the Holy Spirit through this challenging journey (probably the most challenging of his life). I am praying that the 71 year-old remains strong at this time of great personal anguish, and that he does the right thing. History teaches us that very often, the right thing is not always the most popular thing. He is a man of great wisdom and experience (not to mention that he is guarded by the Holy Spirit) and I have every confidence that his mind will work as God wills.

Thats a fair enough opinion of yours and people should respect that opinion.
Others disagree about this latest action of his and see his current "stalling" as they are calling it, as a way to hope the pressure will be taken away from him to resign.

For example: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/shamed-plea-buys-brady-more-time-to-stay-as-leader-2102852.html

lisbon_lions

The papal letter to Ireland is now "on hold" due to allegations over actions in his [ratzinger's] own dioceses in Germany when he was Archbishop and his handling of that.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8572875.stm

Its the beginning of the end for the CC I reckon.

Hank_Jones

Jaysus, lads lay off will ya.

When did it become not acceptable to cover up cases of child abuse?

Oh, wait....

Cheap Thrills!

Outrage wrote: »

Cardinal Brady said in his sermon yesterday that the current times are the most challenging for the Irish Catholic Church since the time of St Patrick. That is quite a profound statement for a Cardinal to make and just goes to show how serious this situation really is.

Wow, thanks I didn't realise how serious things were before, but since Cardinal Shady Brady says its serious then... Gee Whizz I guess it must be!!!

Incisive observations indeed!

who the fug

Outrage wrote: »

Cardinal Brady is going through a process of deep prayer, contemplation, communication and discussion at the moment. He will be guided by the Holy Spirit through this challenging journey (probably the most challenging of his life). I am praying that the 71 year-old remains strong at this time of great personal anguish, and that he does the right thing. History teaches us that very often, the right thing is not always the most popular thing. He is a man of great wisdom and experience (not to mention that he is guarded by the Holy Spirit) and I have every confidence that his mind, words and deeds will work as God wills.

Cardinal Brady said in his sermon yesterday that the current times are the most challenging for the Irish Catholic Church since the time of St Patrick. That is quite a profound statement for a Cardinal to make and just goes to show how serious this situation really is.

Seeing as the holy spirt was supposed to be guiding the church for the last 2000 years, I suggest they stop listening to it , and figure out right from wrong on their own, like the rest of us have to do.

philologos

who the fug wrote: »

Seeing as the holy spirt was supposed to be guiding the church for the last 2000 years, I suggest they stop listening to it , and figure out right from wrong on their own, like the rest of us have to do.

The child abuse that occurred is the last thing I would associate with God. It's the corruption of men, that's simply it.

There is a difference between what man does and stands for and what God does and stands for.

who the fug

Jakkass wrote: »

The child abuse that occurred is the last thing I would associate with God. It's the corruption of men, that's simply it.

There is a difference between what man does and stands for and what God does and stands for.

If they are so venal and corrupt why don't ye kick them out of the church

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Outrage wrote: »

Cardinal Brady is going through a process of deep prayer, contemplation, communication and discussion at the moment. He will be guided by the Holy Spirit through this challenging journey (probably the most challenging of his life). I am praying that the 71 year-old remains strong at this time of great personal anguish, and that he does the right thing. History teaches us that very often, the right thing is not always the most popular thing. He is a man of great wisdom and experience (not to mention that he is guarded by the Holy Spirit) and I have every confidence that his mind, words and deeds will work as God wills.

Cardinal Brady said in his sermon yesterday that the current times are the most challenging for the Irish Catholic Church since the time of St Patrick. That is quite a profound statement for a Cardinal to make and just goes to show how serious this situation really is.

Yea, pity he didn't realise the seriousness of this situation 30+ years ago... Too little too late.

Jakkass wrote: »

The child abuse that occurred is the last thing I would associate with God. It's the corruption of men, that's simply it.

There is a difference between what man does and stands for and what God does and stands for.

And the difference is god doesn't do shít

Lets not let this thread turn into "god does/doesn't exist", it's boring

humanji

who the fug wrote: »

If they are so venal and corrupt why don't ye kick them out of the church

Possibly because he's neither catholic nor the pope?

dunleakelleher

lisbon_lions wrote: »

The papal letter to Ireland is now "on hold" due to allegations over actions in his [ratzinger's] own dioceses in Germany when he was Archbishop and his handling of that.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8572875.stm

Its the beginning of the end for the CC I reckon.

Well holy s#it. Even the pope.
We are only one step away from hearing the real reason Judas handed Jesus up to the authorities.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

dunleakelleher wrote: »

Well holy s#it. Even the pope.
We are only one step away from hearing the real reason Judas handed Jesus up to the authorities.

I could say something but I am not sure if it would get me a ban or not, therefore I won't say it, but it had something to do with homosexuality... :eek:

philstar

dunleakelleher wrote: »

Well holy s#it. Even the pope.
We are only one step away from hearing the real reason Judas handed Jesus up to the authorities.

Don't involve poor 'ol Jesus in all of this, Catholicism has got more in common with voodoo than Christianity.

trustno1

Outrage wrote: »

Cardinal Brady is going through a process of deep prayer, contemplation, communication and discussion at the moment. He will be guided by the Holy Spirit through this challenging journey (probably the most challenging of his life). I am praying that the 71 year-old remains strong at this time of great personal anguish, and that he does the right thing. History teaches us that very often, the right thing is not always the most popular thing. He is a man of great wisdom and experience (not to mention that he is guarded by the Holy Spirit) and I have every confidence that his mind, words and deeds will work as God wills.

Cardinal Brady said in his sermon yesterday that the current times are the most challenging for the Irish Catholic Church since the time of St Patrick. That is quite a profound statement for a Cardinal to make and just goes to show how serious this situation really is.

You were banned from another discussion regarding Cardinal Brady. Do you genuinely believe that 'he is a man of great wisdom and experience' or are you posting your comments on this issue to get a reaction?. As I would hope that a 'a man of great wisdom' would NOT just listen to two young children describe in detail how they were abused, then get them to sign a document that I am sure they did not fully understand the implications of and then head off and forget all about it. He might as well have abused the children himself for all the help he gave them (and it would it no shape or form surprise me if it comes out that he did abuse children himself). Himself and the the Pope are a disgrace to the religion that they represent and should do the right thing and resgin. They should then start selling off the Vatican's billions (yes - billions!) worth of treasure hoard (this also confuses me - Jesus was a man of simple means - why does the vatcian need all of that gold???) and set things right by fully compensating all those that the church has done wrong by. Not that any amount of money will take away the memories of what was done to these people as children.

philologos

who the fug wrote: »

If they are so venal and corrupt why don't ye kick them out of the church

They aren't in my church. I'm not a Roman Catholic.

Wyatt High Slyness wrote: »

And the difference is god doesn't do shít

Based on what?

Wyatt High Slyness wrote: »

Lets not let this thread turn into "god does/doesn't exist", it's boring

I believe you are the one who started the existence debate. All I've said is that child abuse is contrary to God's will, and it is definitely in opposition to Christian belief.

Joey the lips

Jakkass wrote: »

They aren't in my church. I'm not a Roman Catholic.



Based on what?



I believe you are the one who started the existence debate. All I've said is that child abuse is contrary to God's will, and it is definitely in opposition to Christian belief.

Jakkass. With respect why do you waste your time. They are just stirring for an arguement and could not care really...