Latest news with #diocese
Irish Times
20-07-2025
- Irish Times
Decision to remove Eamonn Casey's remains came in response to furore over documentary last year
It is unusual for church authorities anywhere to disturb the remains of the deceased, not least a deceased bishop. The decision by diocesan authorities in Galway to remove the remains of Bishop Eamonn Casey from the crypt in Galway Cathedral to the care of his family is thus a rare event – and the length of time it took to reach it shows how delicate it was. The decision came in response to the furore which followed the broadcasting a year ago by RTÉ One of the documentary, Bishop Casey's Buried Secrets , made in association with the Irish Mail on Sunday newspaper. It recalled how four people independently accused Bishop Casey of child sexual abuse and a separate child safeguarding concern was also recorded against him. The significant public reaction led to the diocese commencing a period of consultation on what to do. The explanation given for the removal of the remains from the crypt at Galway Cathedral was somewhat opaque. 'Significant consensus emerged around the unique role of a cathedral as a place of unity rather than division, healing rather than hurt and peace rather than disquiet,' said a short statement from Galway's diocesan authorities on Saturday. And so Casey's remains were removed to the care of his family. The statement noted how 'the continued resting of the mortal remains of Bishop Eamonn Casey in the crypt of the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway, was a deeply felt matter that affected many people in different ways'. READ MORE It referred to another statement issued by the diocese in July last year, following the programme, when it appealed 'for time and space' to allow 'for appropriate reflection and consultation' on the issue. [ Garda will not reopen Bishop Eamonn Casey investigation Opens in new window ] The documentary included an interview with Bishop Casey's niece , Patricia Donovan. In her first television interview, she outlined in detail the abuse allegations she first made against Casey in November 2005. These were investigated by gardaí at the time – who questioned Casey – but no charges were brought. Casey, who fathered a child with Annie Murphy in the early 1970s, denied all accusations of child sexual abuse made against him. Before he died in 2017 it was known that he faced such allegations involving three girls. An Garda Síochána and the church authorities were notified by the Limerick diocese after it received the complaints in 2001, 2005, and 2014. One involved Ms Donovan, another involved the late Ellen Murphy, and the identity of the third woman has not been revealed. After his death another woman made an allegation of child sex abuse against him, and a child safeguarding matter concerning him also came to light. [ Bishop Eamonn Casey's remains removed from Galway cathedral Opens in new window ] The programme disclosed that Ms Murphy alleged Casey abused her in the 1950s when she was 15 and at St Joseph's reformatory in Limerick, where he was chaplain. In 2001 she initiated High Court proceedings against him and also applied to the Redress Board, set up to compensate people who had been in residential institutions as children. She received €40,000 in redress and dropped her High Court action. She made no formal complaint to the gardaí about her alleged abuse by Casey. In 2019, two years after Casey died, Limerick diocese paid €100,000 to a woman over alleged abuse by Casey when he was curate at St John's Cathedral in Limerick between 1955 and 1960. Canon lawyer Fr Aidan McGrath told the programme that 'disciplinary measures' had been taken by the Vatican where Casey was concerned. 'Whether they were punitive or not, I would doubt it. An allegation, ultimately, until there's evidence to back it up, is not proof. Until he's proven guilty of something he's given the benefit of the doubt. And it looks as if that's what happened,' he said. However, for most of his later years Casey was suspended from public ministry by the Vatican. His funeral Mass at Galway Cathedral in March 2017 was concelebrated by 11 bishops and 61 priests with more than 1,600 people in attendance, including President Michael D Higgins.
The Independent
28-06-2025
- The Independent
Archbishop of Wales retires after critical reports on cathedral behaviour
The Archbishop of Wales has announced his retirement after a critical report raised complaints about alcohol use and sexual behaviour at his diocese. Andrew John confirmed he would be stepping down with immediate effect in a statement issued on Friday evening. He will also retire as Bishop of Bangor on August 31. The move follows a safeguarding review at Bangor Cathedral, which identified 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred' and 'promiscuity was acceptable'. There is no suggestion the archbishop behaved inappropriately. Mr John commissioned two reports into the North Wales cathedral in October last year. A summary of a report shared on the Church in Wales' website said there were also reports of 'inappropriate language, rude jokes and innuendoes in the choir that left some feeling unsafe and marginalised'. Inappropriate language was also used in front of younger members of the choir and at times caused 'humiliation to some', the report's compilers were told. Other issues raised included the presence of hurtful gossip, a poor safeguarding approach and weak financial controls. Announcing his retirement, Mr John said: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. 'I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire.' After the publication of a summary into the reports earlier this year, the archbishop said: 'I acknowledge that these findings are hard to hear – but they must be faced if we are to move forward with integrity.' 'I have begun reflecting on what I must learn from this process – not only as a leader, but as a fellow pilgrim,' he added. 'While this has been a sobering time, it also offers us opportunity for change. It will mean hard work, but it can also bring healing, and we do not do this alone.' Mr John became Bishop of Bangor in 2008 and was elected Archbishop of Wales in December 2021.
