Ireland Online
May 25, 2009
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/orders-defy-top-clerics-compensation-plea-412275.html
Religious orders responsible for decades of shocking child abuse tonight defied the country's most senior Catholic clerics, rejecting calls to reopen talks on a capped victims' compensation scheme.
As garda top brass began trawling the damning Ryan report, Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin urged 18 congregations to consider rewriting the controversial deal which left the taxpayer footing a €1.2bn redress bill.
But the orders ignored the clergymen's appeal insisting there are other ways to help victims.
"Rather than re-opening the terms of the agreement reached with Government in 2002, we reiterate our commitment to working with those who suffered enormously while in our care," they said in a statement.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has appointed Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne, head of Specialist Units, to examine Judge Sean Ryan's findings.
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Even though no abusive priest or nun has been named and the Christian Brothers struck an immunity deal before giving evidence, the 2,500 page report has been handed over to gardaí to assess possible criminal charges.
The Cardinal and Archbishop met in Maynooth to discuss the devastating nine-year investigation and signalled they wanted the orders to revisit the original compensation deal.
In 2002, the orders agreed to hand over cash and 63 properties worth a total of €127m to the state.
The Cardinal told RTÉ: "Some of Cori have spoken. Obviously more speaking will have to be done to clarify the reasons behind the agreement and what steps can be taken to revisit that."
Archbishop Martin appealed for the Congregations to do the right thing.
"The religious congregations should look now at what has emerged and ask themselves is that the picture that we understood nine years ago, was that the reality nine years ago," he said.
"If the thing is much worse than they admitted to at that stage, then they have to look at the consequences."
Archbishop Martin added: "Pointing, telling them what to do won't be the entire answer. They have to, themselves, own up and do some heart searching about the horrors that were there."
Critics of the deal suggest the orders should have known the extent of the abuse in children's homes, orphanages, industrial and reform schools and should now be paying the cost.
The Cabinet will be briefed in detail on the nine-year inquiry which uncovered systematic sexual, physical and emotional torture of children in institutions set up for the most vulnerable and poorest youngsters. Ministers will also discuss the compensation deal.
The Conference of Religious of Ireland (Cori), which represents 138 orders, issued a statement insisting it backed the position taken by the 18 abusive orders.
"The emotional, physical and sexual abuse suffered by so many children on such a vast scale is horrendous," the body said.
"All of us accept with humility that massive mistakes were made and grave injustices were inflicted on very vulnerable children. No excuse can be offered for what has happened."
Meanwhile, Cori was further criticised after their dedicated helpline Faoiseamh, which runs confidential telephone counselling and psychotherapy referral, did not run out-of-hours operations after the release of the Ryan report. Faoiseamh has since extended its opening hours to 8pm.
The 18 congregations plan to meet again in the coming days to discuss the fall-out.
Labour Party justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte said the refusal of orders to revisit the deal was a calculated snub to public opinion and a further insult to the victims.
"It is now clear that there is overwhelming public support for reopening the irresponsible deal," Mr Rabbitte said.
"The Religious Congregations are already out of step with the Diocesan Bishops and it is clear that if they persist with this attitude they will find themselves isolated from the rest of Irish society.
"The Government cannot accept the decision of Cori."
Mr Rabbitte called on Taoiseach Brian Cowen to meet the orders to discuss the deal and to consider the way in which the injustice done to victims can be redressed.
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