Support Group Set up for Alleged Abusers

By Sarah MacDonald
Irish Independent
November 10, 2012

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/support-group-set-up-for-alleged-abusers-3290058.html

THE Association of Catholic Priests, which represents over 1,000 reform-minded Irish clergy, has set up a support group for clerics who have to leave ministry while allegations of abuse by them are investigated.

The new advisory board includes psychologist Dr Marie Keenan, who has been appointed chairperson, Maeve Lewis of victim support group One in Four, Ian Elliot of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church and a number of prominent clergy.

It will hold its third meeting in December ahead of the first general meeting for members next January.

The announcement of the new support group comes as the ACP holds its second annual general meeting this weekend in Dublin. The main item on the agenda is the establishment of a new lay organisation, the Association of Catholics in Ireland.