Church Resolves Abuse Files Standoff

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Church Resolves Abuse Files Standoff

February 14, 2008

By Paddy Clancy

A DISPUTE between Dublin’s present and immediate past archbishops over secret files has been patched up after the direct intervention of the leading Catholic clergyman in Ireland, all-Ireland Primate Cardinal Sean Brady.

He paid a special weekend hospital visit to former Dublin Archbishop Cardinal Desmond Connell and persuaded him to drop his legal bid to block certain documents being considered by a sex-abuse inquiry. The intervention prevented growth of a rift that threatened to split the church in Ireland.

Connell, who is recovering from a fractured pelvis after a recent fall in Rome, dramatically withdrew his High Court action on Monday. He initially wanted an order preventing the sex-abuse inquiry from considering 5,500 documents handed over by his successor as Dublin Archbishop, Diarmaid Martin.

Connell, 81, had claimed privilege over the documents, which formed just 8% of 66,583 files handed over by Martin to the Commission of Investigation into Clerical Sexual Abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese.

The Irish Times reported that Brady, in his hospital visit to Connell, pointed out the damage his action was doing where victims of clerical child sex abuse were concerned and to the Catholic Church itself.

Martin also visited Connell in his sick-bed. In a brief statement following Monday’s withdrawal of the High Court action, he said Connell told him the decision not to proceed was his own.

“Since its inception, the archdiocese has refrained from making comments on the day to day work of the commission to allow it to carry out that important work. That basic policy remains unchanged,” said Martin.

“Many victims and family members contacted me. I wish to assure them, as well as priests and parish congregations, of my continued commitment to seeking the truth about the past.

“It is my hope that the common aim of all remains focused on ensuring that an accurate understanding of the truth concerning sexual abuse of children by clergy emerges.”

No statement was released on behalf of Connell.

The government’s response was limited. Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan simply said he was glad the issue had been resolved.

The investigation is focusing on how church leaders handled complaints of abuse against a representative sample of 46 priests of a total of 102 found to fall within the commission’s terms of reference.

Judge Yvonne Murphy, who chairs the commission, had undertaken not to examine the disputed documents pending the outcome of the High Court action.

While Connell’s initial legal move had threatened to divide senior clergy, the majority of rank-and-file priests were appalled.

Father Martin Dolan, curate of St. Nicholas of Myra parish in Francis Street, Dublin, said last week, “We are not a company. We operate out of the gospel and the gospel tells us we should put other people first, even if that means your personal reputation or your position is at risk.”

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