Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

Click Here for Local PC Repair
 
 
Sunday, 1st August 2010

O'Dea: "I didn't say the Bishop should resign"

Local politicians say Bishop Murray should be allowed time to consider whether he should quit over criticisms in abuse report

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 30 November 2009
By Anne Sheridan
LEADING Limerick politicians believe the Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, should be allowed time to consider his position and consult with
priests in the diocese on whether he should resign, following the publication of the Murphy report.
Speaking on RTE's The Week in Politics last night, Minister Willie O'Dea said be believes Dr Murray, whom he knows personally, will make the "appropriate decision."

However, when asked on national radio this morning whether he believed the Bishop should go, Minister O'Dea replied: "Not really."

Minister O'Dea said he has not read the report in full, and does not believe the matter of removing bishops should be decided by the Taoiseach.

He said he has "always thought him a very decent, honorable person", adding "every man must consider the situation for himself."

The bishop is coming under increased pressure to resign, following comments made by Fr Brian D'Arcy and Dromore Bishop John McAreavey, among others.

Bishop McAreavey said that any bishop … around whom there are serious questions in relation to the care and protection of children has serious
questions to answer. "I'm sure Bishop Murray is reflecting on that - I know that he has taken the view that he should remain but I think he
will be thinking very seriously about that."

The family of a man who alleged abuse and who died tragically in 2006, following a meeting with representatives of Limerick's Catholic diocese, have called for Bishop Murray's resignation.

Peter McCloskey, 37, was found dead on April 1, 2006, two days after mediation talks with diocesan representatives.

The late Mr McCloskey alleged he had been abused in 1980/81 by Fr Denis Daly, a priest ordained for Sydney who served in Limerick from 1978
until his death aged 61 in 1987.

His father Aidan said of his deceased son's experience that "a criminal would have been treated better by the bishop".

Fine Gael deputy Michael Noonan said he feels it would be "only fair to give him the time he requested to consult with people and priests of the diocese".

Deputy Noonan described the contents of the Murphy report as "absolutely appalling", but again did not feel it would appropriate
to give his own view on whether the bishop should resign.

Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 30 November 2009 8:37 PM
  • Source: Limerick Leader Mon T
  • Location: Limerick
 
Prev
1
Next
1

Downunderyan,

Brisbane, Australia 01/12/2009 10:35:45
For it is written (words attributed to JC in the Bible) 'woe to him who would harm the least of these my little children. Better that a millstone be hung around his neck and he be cast into the deep'. I'm sure that JC would have prescribed the same punishment for those who protected the child abusers (priest and police alike).
How is the millstone making business doing in Ireland these days? Surely it must be working overtime and putting on extra workers to keep up with the demand!
2

jonbon,

limerick 01/12/2009 11:42:27
resign and resign NOW!!!
3

Limerick Born,

Limerick 02/12/2009 09:41:01
A classic case of Willie being on both sides of an issue at the same time.
4

Matt Limerick,

Limerick 02/12/2009 13:58:45
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 is 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.

By the way I do not speak for, nor am part of the church, these are my own opinions based on what Ive read and my own experience.
5

adfloatj,

Tokyo Japan 03/12/2009 06:58:56
It is really sad when a Irish minister voices a opinion but when asked after about the same opinion he does the old back slide,Quote I didn`t read the whole rerport,
Yeah Ireland needs ministers like that, isn`t that the same as saying , I didnt know the gun was loaded and I will never do it again, Ireland needs ministers with
BALLS, Not back sliding morons like Mr Odea, When the Irish people wake up to the fact that the church runs Ireland and inacts laws seperating church from state only then can Irerland get a hand on this problem
6

Martin Burke,

Wetteren, Belgium 05/12/2009 23:07:12
gutless! pure gutless!
once again church and state make interesting bed-fellows
they have done so in the past
they will do so in the future
unless....
Prev
1
Next

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Council of Ireland’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman by clicking here.