Greg Daly
Unfounded claims of abuse remain a grave fear for many Irish priests, while clergy often distrust their bishops, according to the minutes of two meetings of the Association of Catholic priests last month.
Safeguarding was a central issue at the ACP South meeting, which considered the rights of clergy when faced with allegations. “Solicitors feel priests rights are ignored and are waiting for a priest to sue his diocese,” according to the minutes of the meeting which claimed that accused clergy are denied the care given to their accusers.
This concern is despite the Church’s national safeguarding board having last year introduced new standards and guidelines on the care of clergy about whom complaints have been made.
Principle
Reporting that the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ does not apply to priests, and expressing concerns about a lack of transparency in canon law, the minutes recorded that accused priests were advised to contact the ACP, who would accompany them in meetings with their bishops.
“If summoned to the diocesan office, priests should ask what it’s about and should not go there alone,” the minutes advised.
Earlier in March, an ACP West meeting saw about 60 priests discussing a perceived inability to “say no, to bishops and people”, and a feeling that they are subject to “bullying by bishops”, by whom they “are not trusted”.