Bishop Brendan Leahy meets with victim of sexual assaults

THE BISHOP of Limerick Brendan Leahy said his thoughts “first and foremost are with the young man who has suffered so much in this case”.

“I want to acknowledge the enormous pain that he has had to endure and, no doubt, having to go through the court hearing itself and all that led up to it deepened the hurt. It’s a huge trauma for him due not only to the dreadful acts perpetrated that had to be revisited in pursuing this case, but also due to the grave breach of trust that was inflicted. I am also very conscious of the effect on his family and friends, who are also deeply impacted by this.

“On behalf of the Diocese of Limerick, I want to extend my deepest apologies and regret to the young man himself but also to so many who have been hurt in different ways by what has happened. No words of mine can repair the damage but I do also want to acknowledge his courage in coming forward, which is something that is not easy to do,” said Bishop Leahy.

This betrayal of a sacred trust has also caused great distress to the wider community, he said.

“I have met with the man that was abused and am available to meet any person who may have experienced abuse by a priest. Sexual abuse by members of the clergy has brought great shame on the Church and impacts deeply on all who seek to live the Gospel. It is in believing in the Gospel that we must do all we can to help heal the wounds, rebuild the trust of all impacted by abuse and do everything possible to ensure that abuse such as this does not happen again.”

Terry Loughran was suspended from all ministry once a safeguarding complaint was received, and was laicised.

Bishop Leahy concluded by stating that those who disclose abuse show enormous courage and in doing so not alone seek justice but also hopefully help prevent further abuse from happening.

“We are all in their debt and pray that their example will also give others the courage to disclose abuse,” he added.

Bishop Leahy asked that anyone who has been abused but who have not yet come forward to summon the courage if possible now to do so.

They are urged to contact the statutory services (gardai / Tusla) and to be assured that the Diocesan Safeguarding Service and the support that goes with it is also available to them on 087 3233564 or ger.crowley@limerickdiocese.org.