IRELAND
Drogheda Independent
Fiona Magennis
PUBLISHED
01/11/2014
The Franciscan Order in Ireland has ‘apologised unreservedly’ for the first time to those who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Ronald Bennett, a former spiritual director and bursar of Gormanston College.
Speaking during a Mass to mark the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the college, Minister Provincial of the Franciscans in Ireland Fr Hugh McKenna said the order must acknowledge the ‘shameful reality’ that they had failed those students abused by Ronald Bennett.
He said the criminal acts carried out by Bennett on repeated ocasions and over meany years meant that innocent pupils were ‘profoundly harmed’.
‘On behalf of the Franciscan Order I want to apologise unreservedly to each and every survivor for the pain and harm inflicted on those who suffered abuse while under the care of the friars,’ he said.
‘I apologise for the breach of trust and the suffering victims and their families endured,’ he said. ‘I also know that no apology of mine can ever be sufficient. I acknowledge with deep shame that the Franciscan Order failed you.’
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