Catholic Church Faced 15 Sex and Physical Abuse Allegations in 2013

By Matt Coyle
STV
December 16, 2014

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/303737-catholic-church-faced-15-sex-and-physical-abuse-allegations-in-2013/

The Catholic Church in Scotland faced 15 allegations of sexual and physical abuse in 2013, it can be revealed.

The allegations were made against seven priests, three volunteers, two parishioners and one other person.

Some of those had more than one allegation made against them, a new audit report has found.

Six of the 15 allegations made against the church were historical, dating back to the 1980s or earlier.

Ten of the claims made related to sexual abuse in some form, three involved physical abuse, two were of physical abuse and one of emotional abuse with two further allegations of verbal abuse.

All allegations of abuse are reported to the statutory authorities including the police and prosecutors.

A total of ten cases were reported to Police Scotland with five not reported which related to shouting at a group of children, poor boundaries and three related to an abuse of power.

None were regarded as illegal actions but did require an active response from the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor and Bishop.

As of November 2014 there have been no prosecutions associated with the 2013 allegations.

Two of the alleged perpetrators are dead, three have been removed from ministry and two cases are currently with the procurator fiscal.

One of the accused is no longer a volunteer and two outcomes are unknown to the church, according to the report.

There are currently 668 priests and 57 permanent deacons in Scotland.

A spokesman for the church said it would fully support any inquiry into abuse in care in Scotland.

He added: "The Catholic Church in Scotland seeks to safeguard the welfare of people of all ages who are involved in whatever capacity with the church and its organisations.

"The publication of this audit is an example of the commitment to transparency and openness made previously by Scotland’s Catholic Bishops.

"The external Review of Safeguarding Protocols and Procedures being conducted by Dr Andrew McLellan will report in 2015 and the Statistical Review of all Historic Cases of Abuse from 1947-2005 will be published at that time also.

"The Catholic Church would support an evidence based inquiry into abuse in care in Scotland."