The Fermanagh Herald
March 24, 2010
http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/FH/free/316108482726927.php
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| Bishop Joseph Duffy. |
THE Bishop of Clogher, Dr Joseph Duffy has admitted that he withheld from the police information about a paedophile priest, then on the staff of St Michael's College, to protect the church and in keeping with the prevailing culture at the time.
Now over 75, and after 30 years as bishop, Dr Duffy applied to Rome last year to be allowed to retire. However, in the course of a candid interview with a local radio station, he said he saw no reason to resign.
He told the interviewer with Shannonside/Northern Sound, Joe Finnegan: "My attitude would be if I was convinced that it was the right thing to do, I would have no option but to do it, and I am not convinced."
It was in 1989 that the parents of a boy, who alleged he had been abused by Fr John McCabe, came to Bishop Duffy to tell him. McCabe quit St Michael's College the following year and resigned as a priest in 1990 and, in that year, he got a job at Hazelwood Integrated College in Co
Antrim. He was sacked after admitting his crime sto the head teacher and appeared in court in 1995. There, he was sentenced to 20 months in jail for 13 indecent assaults between 1979 and 1985.
The Court was told that the sexual assaults began after McCabe met his victims' parents at a retreat, stayed at their Belfast home and assaulted his victim, a boy while sharing his bedroom. Evidence was also given that McCabe invited the boy to spend his holidays at his digs in St Michael's College.
The thrust of the mid-morning interview was that by not blowing the whistle on McCabe back in 1989 Dr Duffy had potentially placed other young people at risk.
His Lordship was asked if he had not felt compelled to go to the authorities back in 1989.
He said the family in question had pleaded with him not to let what they were saying go beyond the room.
He went on: "The information unfolded gradually. The family were not convinced this was all that had happened. They were only feeling their way."
He hadn't passed on the information to the police because 'it didn't happen in those days': "We didn't appreciate the need for that as we do now. Yes, I do appreciate the seriousness of the allegation (that he had placed others at risk)."
He was very much concerned, he added, to respect the wishes of the family, but added: "I do regret I didn't go directly to the police which, obviously, I should have done but when the Police did come to me some time later I told them very honestly that I was aware that I should have reported it and didn't. That is on the record."
"I suppose nowadays we are all much more aware of the function of the police in the matter, but I'm not trying in any way to minimise it. I have to express regret and a sense of shame that I should have done what I didn't do."
At this stage, the bishop was probed a little deeper into his failure to notify the police
Mr Finnegan: "The reason I am asking you this question is because people want to know. At any stage, did you feel the need as a bishop to keep this silent for the sake of the church?"
The issue was teased out over the next few minutes of the interview, his
Lordship being quietly reminded, 'you know the difference between right and wrong' and, while state institutions might indulge in cover up, leadership was expected from a bishop.
It was put to Bishop Duffy: "Were you thinking: if I can deal with it in this way, move it here and move it there, it won't get out. The last thing we need is a scandal?".
His Lordship replied: "The priest in question was encountered by me and I did my investigation on it and he left the priesthood within months. That was my way of dealing with it. I was convinced that I had taken it as far as I could take it."
He stressed that he did not discourage the family from going to the police although, at the same time, he didn't mention the police to them, 'because it didn't occur to me'.
He then addresed the public/media perception that he and fellow bishops were slow coming forward.
"It's because we are conscious of the complexity of this thing. I know people cannot understand why we can't come up with things immediately. It is not an easy business. You need to know where you stand.
He went on: "I would be less than honest if I said I felt in any way good about it. This whole thing has been very distressing, and not just at the personal level. I am very aware of the distress of the people who are caught up in this whole sad business."
Bishop Duffy was then asked if he had put church before victim. The question ended: 'You are satisfied that at no stage in this particular case there was a course of action taken by you to protect the church to avoid a scandal?'
He replied: "Honestly I don't think that was my primary consideration. I would submit I would want to avoid scandal. I would admit that and have to admit it."
Mr Finnegan: "It was part of the reasoning behind the course of action you took at the time?"
Bishop Duffy: "Yes, I would have to say that."
Mr Finnegan: "You were thinking about the church rather than the children? At no stage were the children involved an absolute priority in that you took into account what this would do to the church?"
Bishop Duffy said he would have to agree the priority now was, 'children first'.
Mr Finnegan reminded him that that was now and, surely, he suggested, this was what the victims were on a witchhunt about. They had come to the bishops looking for help and guidance and at the top of the bishops' priorities was protecting the church.
Bishop Duffy: "That's not totally fair".
Mr Finnegan: "That's the view of the victims."
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