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	Upcoming Diocesan Report "an Honest Appraisal" - Bishop Westmeath Independent July 27, 2011 http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2011/07/27/4005760-upcoming-diocesan-report-an-honest-appraisal--bishop/ Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois Dr Colm O'Reilly has this week described a soon to be published report on child sexual abuse within the church in the diocese as an honest appraisal. Dr O'Reilly confirmed he has seen a draft of the report. He said a number of cases are included in it, and he will be happy to let the public reach its own conclusion when it's published. A definite date for publication of the report has not yet been confirmed. Parts of Westmeath fall into the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, which also covers parts of Roscommon, Leitrim, Offaly, Cavan and Sligo and almost all of Longford. Dr O'Reilly has sat as Bishop of the diocese since being appointed in early 1983. "Before we had it done I went on the record to say that I'd publish it," Dr O'Reilly said regarding the publication of the report, which will be handed over to the bishop on its completion by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church. "Whatever it says, I'll publish." Dr O'Reilly added that regarding a date for publication any delay "won't be because I'm stalling". The National Board for Safeguarding Children, the body behind the report, was established in 2006. It works with church leaders, clergy, lay representatives, congregations and children and young people to recognise and deal with the historical abuse of children as well as proactively trying to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in all current church activities. Dr O'Reilly was speaking about the report involving his diocese in the wake of the publication of the Cloyne Report, which highlighted the cover up of sexual abuse allegations in the Cloyne Diocese in Cork and the failure of the church to protect children in its care. Commenting on that report Dr O'Reilly said he wasn't sure a public appearance by Bishop John Magee would be helpful at this stage, and that there was enough clarity on the matter now for people to make up their own minds. He also said church guidelines on child protection were becoming stricter than State rules.
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