Have sympathy for survivors when accused priests die – campaigner

Care for victims has to be taken into account when priests credibly accused of abuse die, an abuse survivor and child protection campaigner has said.

Speaking against the background of complaints from the Association of Catholic Priests that “proper funerals” are sometimes denied to priests who die while facing allegations of abuse, Mark Vincent Healy said sometimes funerals for such priests can be low-key affairs out of sensitivity to survivors of abuse.

Notices about the funeral might not be publicised, he told The Irish Catholic. “because they’re afraid that it may draw attention to the funeral, which then may be protested by survivors who feel very much aggrieved they never had their day of justice”.

Accusations

Acknowledging that aside from cases where there have been criminal convictions, there are cases where priests have been long suspended from ministry following believable accusations, Mr Healy said victims of abuse need to be considered.

“If, however, the issue is that there were very culpable or credible cases which were never proven in a court of law, but there was sufficient evidence to show the sort of abuse that took place,” there would be a question about how high-profile their funeral should be, he said.

“They may not have had to face the music, but whether they should be recalled and remembered well where there’s such a legacy of harm and shame and hurt left behind by them – then you have to have some sympathy for the victims,” he said.

The Irish Catholic understands that while discretion may be necessary when priests accused of abuse die, there is no question of priests being denied suitable funerals.

“The death of a priest against whom allegations of abuse have been substantiated and his funeral rites can give rise to many different emotions among his family, those he has harmed, his colleagues, and friends,” a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Dublin said.

“It is the policy of the Diocesan Child Safeguarding and Protection Office that every effort is made in such cases  to ensure an appropriate and dignified celebration of the Church’s funeral rites and balance concern for victims of abuse as well as the family of the deceased.”