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Sunday, 1st August 2010

Limerick Bishop: 'I'm not looking to save my position'

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Published Date: 02 December 2009
A SPOKESPERSON of the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, has said he is "not looking to save his position", but has "merely entered into a process of engagement with the people and priest of his diocese as to whether his ministry is a hindrance or help to the diocese."
Bishop Murray was responding to comments made by the Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on Primetime on Tuesday night, in which he expressed dissatisfaction with the response received to date by the bishops named in the Murphy report.

"We would also like
to stress that full consideration is being given to the opinions of all members of the public, not least those in the Archdiocese of Dublin and, particularly, survivors of clerical child sex abuse during Bishop Murray's time there as an auxiliary bishop. All voices are being heard," said a spokesperson for the bishop.

The diocesan spokesperson outlined that Bishop Murray has given a "thorough public response" to the Murphy Report since its publication on Thursday last.

Dr Martin outlined that he will be writing all auxiliary bishops named in the report, and said he is not satisfied with some of their responses so far. He said "everyone should stand up and take responsibility for what they did."

How and when Bishop Murray has addressed the public since last Thursday, according to the diocesan office:

1.Conducted a full press conference in Limerick during which he answered all questions (on the day the report was launched)

2.Did hour long interview on Live 95 on Friday, November 27, which was transcribed and put up on the diocesan website

3.Had a letter read out at all masses at weekend

4.Addressed the matter thoroughly again in his own homily on Sunday at St. Joseph's Church in Limerick

5.Addressed all questions pertaining to each case relative to him outlined in the Murphy report in a two-hour, in-depth interview with Limerick Leader which will be published in its county edition this Wednesday night.



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  • Last Updated: 02 December 2009 9:55 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Limerick
 
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Limerick Born,

Limerick 02/12/2009 10:48:17
A SPOKESPERSON of the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, has said he is "not looking to save his position"

Total nonsense. What then has he not yet resigned.

All we are seeing from the Bishop's office is total self serving PR fluff.

They are dragging this out in the hope that the public will loose interest.

As regards the list of things that the Bishop has done to address the public since the report came out last week.......so what.

What has the fact that fact that "Had a letter read out at all masses at weekend" etc got to do with anything?

The report was quite clear in its verdict on Bishop Murray, now he should do the decent thing, accept responsibility for his failings and resign.





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Matt Limerick,

Limerick 02/12/2009 13:53:18

Heres the way I see it, the Bishop was a just one man who did what he could back in the day. Now people (the report) are saying "well you could have done more". Its easy to say that in hindsight to everything and anything a person did. Before I crossed the street I could have walked further to find an old lady also looking to cross the road so I could help her but I didn’t. Sure people are hurting because of some evil men, and Ill be first in line to do something about it but don’t misdirect anger at a man just because he is not Sherlock Holmes.

The media are throwing this way out of proportion and it seems to me its a plain old witch hunt.

It might also be worth noting that child protection awareness and training has made great strides forward here in Limerick since Bishop Murray has been in office. Something to think about before you pick up the pitch fork.
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Limerick Born,

02/12/2009 14:23:16
Interesting defence of Bishop Murray in the comment above.

Look how it is laid out

1.Suggest that the Bishop did all that could have been expected of him, and sure isn't hindsight a great thing etc etc ......"the Bishop was a just one man who did what he could back in the day. "

2.Throw in a token nod to the crimes committed ....."Sure people are hurting because of some evil men"

3.Trivialise the matter under discussion..... ."Before I crossed the street I could have walked further to find an old lady also looking to cross the road so I could help her but I didn’t.

2.Use the phrase "back in the day" to suggest that this belongs in the distance past

3.Suggest that the Bishop has recently being doing good work

4. Ignore the actual findings against Bishop Murray by the enquiry and blame it on the media.

5.And all of this then building up to this outrageous distortion of what this debate is about ....."but don’t misdirect anger at a man just because he is not Sherlock Holmes."

Bishop Murray did not have to be "Sherlock Holmes" to realise that moving suspected peodphile priests between parishes was exposing a fresh batch of young children to danger. There judge has carefully considered the evidence and concluded that Bishop Murray did not do all that he could have. Think about that.

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Sister Maureen Paul Turlish,

New Castle, Delaware, USA 02/12/2009 14:58:16
In regard to prelate Donal Murray, it can be safely said that the real measure of the man can be seen in the picture created by his very own actions revealed in the Murphy Report. Of course he is trying to save face. The imcompetence displayed in his recent statements is appalling.

In Ireland, people, priests an even an archbishop are clammering for resignations on the heels of the Murphy Report's release and rightly so.

But the people in Ireland should expect little more to be done by their own hierarchy there then was done in the United States. The Holy See stills considers it a local problem to be handled locally.

It is a pandemic for the love of God.

There is little of use heard from the bishops but why is there so little outrage from the people and the priests in the United States, Ireland, Canada or Australia?

Why isn't there more or a hue and cry to bring church leadership up before the United Nations for their horrific violations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a Convention to which the Holy See was an early signatory?

Sister Maureen Paul Turlish
Victims' Advocate
New Castle, Delaware, USA
maureenpaulturlish@yahoo.com

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Matt Limerick,

Limerick 02/12/2009 15:35:46

Im sorry you feel that way "Limerick Born" as I said, its just my opinion, Im not here to argue it, just voice it. "token nod", "trivialise", "or suggest that this belongs in the distance past" were not the way I intended it to be read. I believe he did what he could. People say he could have done more. Perhaps we should read both sides of the story before making our decisions. Hope you find peace.
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Limerick Born,

Limerick 02/12/2009 16:06:49
"Perhaps we should read both sides of the story before making our decisions."

The Judge heard all sides of this story when she took her evidence. I accept her judgement in this matter. Peace be with you.
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