IRELAND
RTE News
The Franciscan Friars in Ireland (OFM) have expressed regret for missing opportunities to protect children who were sexually abused by a number of their Friars.
They say a report by the Catholic Church’s child protection watchdog describes a “stark reality of abuse perpetrated by members of the Irish Franciscans over a 45 year period” up until 1998.
The report is one of 16 published today following the completion of the latest tranche of audits by National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.
The report on the Irish Franciscans, says three friars were convicted by the courts during the period, and highlights the order’s failure to deal adequately with complaints brought to its attention at the time.
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