Bishop of Limerick Wins Local Support but Controversy Rages on, Anne Sheridan, Limerick Leader, December 1, 2009

Bishop of Limerick Wins Local Support but Controversy Rages on

By Anne Sheridan
Limerick Leader
December 1, 2009

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/Bishop-of-Limerick-wins-local.5873086.jp

AS pressure mounts on the Bishop of Limerick to resign in the wake of the Murphy report into child sexual abuse in the Dublin diocese, many people in Limerick have come out to express their support for him.

This week, a group of 80 priests and parishioners issued a statement in which they publicly defended Dr Donal Murray, saying that his resignation would present a "retrograde step" for the continuance of child protection measures in the Mid-West.

As the controversy raged, the Bishop was notably absent from the launch of the St Vincent de Paul annual Christmas Appeal this Monday night.

Fianna Fail deputy Niall Collins is the only politician to have broken party ranks by calling for the resignation of Dr Murray in the wake of the Murphy report.

Deputy Collins told the Limerick Chronicle that "given the nature of the issue involved and the comments of the Judge (Yvonne Murphy in the report] I think he should resign. As a public representative the overwhelming view being expressed is that he should resign".

A number of priests contacted by the Limerick Chronicle declined to comment, and said all queries on this issue had to go through the diocesan office.

Following the publication of the Murphy report, helplines across the country have been inundated with calls.