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	Civil Suits Could Leave Church with Massive Bill By Shane Phelan Irish Independent January 8, 2009 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/civil-suits-could-leave-church -with-massive-bill-1595179.html THE Diocese of Cloyne is facing the prospect of having to pay out hundreds of thousands of euro in compensation to victims of child sex abuse if a number of civil actions against it are successful. The diocese is already facing at least three civil suits as a result of alleged clerical child sex abuse in the '70s and '80s. Although a number of allegations have been investigated, none of the priests involved have faced prosecution. One of the suits is being taken against the estate of a dead priest. The action has also named Bishop John Magee as a defendant in his capacity as bishop of the diocese. If it goes to court, it could prove a major embarrassment for the embattled bishop, who is resisting calls for his resignation. The plaintiff, who is now an adult, alleges he was sexually abused at a school as a 14-year-old boy by a priest, who was a teacher there. The priest denied the allegation prior to his death. Further civil suits look possible after a number of people came forward to support group One-in-Four over the past month with fresh allegations. A number of the complainants are likely to make a formal complaint in the near future.
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