IRELAND
Irish Times
Patsy McGarry
Fewer than one in 12 priests accused of child sex abuse has faced prosecution, according to latest annual report of the Catholic Church’s child protection watchdog published today.
The National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) report also disclosed that it was notified of 242 “allegations, concerns and suspicions of abuse” brought to the attention of Church authorities in 2012.
Most were of a historica nature and related to alleged incidents of abuse between the 1940s and 1990s, with the biggest number relating to the 60s, 70s, and 80s. All have been notified to relevant civil authorities.
The NBSC was also notified in 2012 of two allegations of abuse having taken place since 2000 and one allegation of abuse taking place in 2012. “This would underline the continued need for vigilance, good safeguarding practice and prompt action when the allegation or concern is notified to Church authority.”
It noted that following completion of its first two tranches of reviews, involving 10 dioceses and three religious congregations, “some striking trends” emerge.
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