BishopAccountability.org
	State Will Decide How Extra Funds for Abused Are Spent By Fionnan Sheahan Irish Independent May 28, 2009 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/state-will-decide-how-extra-funds-for-abused-are-spent-1753166.html The Government will demand the final say on how any additional contributions for abuse victims from religious orders will be spent. It adopted a far tougher stance last night as the Conference of Religious of Ireland justice spokesman broke his silence for the first time since the Ryan report was published seven days ago. Fr Sean Healy urged the 18 orders to boost their compensation contributions and find a way to split the indemnity deal 50:50 with the State. Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said the religious orders should not have a say over what the money would be spent on. "Any funds that are provided, the State should decide how they are spent," he said. Taoiseach Brian Cowen said any additional contributions from the religious orders must be "substantial". But he said the congregations could not be forced to make extra contributions. Fr Healy said the religious authorities who abused children should be pursued and prosecuted for their "crimes" "I don't believe anyone who committed a criminal offence should be let off the hook," he said. Meanwhile, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said yesterday the Dublin diocese may contribute financially to a trust fund with religious orders for victims of abuse in Church-run institutions.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.