‘Childish, puerile, infantile’: Finlay dismisses Bishop’s apology

IRELAND
Irish Examiner

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay has described as “a childish excuse” comments from Bishop of Clonfert John Kirby that he previously regarded paedophilia as a “friendship that crossed a boundary line”.

Seven audits into child safeguarding practices in the Catholic Church and religious orders were published today.

The reviews found a higher incidence of allegations of abuse within the three orders than in the four dioceses – and that there is still a failure to fully comply with child protection guidelines.

NBSCCC Chief Executive Ian Elliott has said the audits found some instances of very bad practice and described his shock and disappointment at some of the findings against the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in particular.

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