Sunday, March 28, 2010

Priest on leave over child safety


Another parish priest in Northern Ireland has taken leave over child safety issues.

Cardinal Sean Brady said this was to allow the civil authorities, which had already been informed, to investigate the matter.

But he emphasised that the priest continued to enjoy the right to the presumption of innocence while the matters were being investigated.

According to a message posted on the Armagh diocesan website, the Cardinal made the announcement on Saturday evening after celebrating Mass in the parish concerned. The parish has not been identified.

Cardinal Brady said: "The policy of the Archdiocese of Armagh is that in all matters relating to child safeguarding, the safety and welfare of the child must be our paramount concern."

His spokesman has dismissed reports that Vatican officials want to force his resignation over separate child sex scandals.

The Catholic primate in Ireland has apologised for his role in the handling of sex abuse cases. He has said he wants to work towards a just resolution of a case being taken against him by a man who claims he was abused by Father Brendan Smyth but not enough was done to stop his attacker.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is preparing to order an official investigation into child abuse in Northern Ireland after details emerged of more attacks on children by members of the clergy.

The Times reported on Saturday that nothing less than Cardinal Brady's resignation will diminish fury at the highest levels in Rome over his role.

"Ireland needs a fresh start," a source in Rome told the newspaper. "By clinging on, he is putting his own interests before the church's."

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