Bishop resigns over sex abuse cover-up row
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A BISHOP has resigned over controversy around his decision to say Requiem Mass for a paedophile priest.
Bishop of Dromore Dr John Mcareavey said at the beginning of February he regretted officiating at the funeral of Fr Malachy Finnegan in 2002.
His admission came alongside news the diocese was to compensate 12 people who claimed Finnegan abused them while working at a grammar school.
The priest targeted pupils first as a teacher and then as president of St Colman’s College in Newry, Co Down, between 1967 and 1987.
Bishop Mcareavey met with families from one Co Down primary along with those from three other schools over the controversy.
But he faced a backlash from
parents who claimed they didn’t wanted him to confirm their children.
And parishioners said they would no longer set foot in the parochial house in Hilltown, Co Down, after it emerged Finnegan abused one youngster there.
In a statement released by his solicitors Arthur J Downey & Co yesterday afternoon the Bishop said: “Following media reports which have disturbed and upset many people in the diocese and further afield I have decided to resign with immediate effect. I shall make further comment in due course.”
After Finnegan’s death, 10 victims came forward to lodge complaints.
Bishop Mcareavey invited the National Board for Safeguarding Children to do an independent audit of all allegations against priests in the diocese from 1975 to 2011, including cases against three who had since died.
He said at the time: “The actions of Malachy Finnegan were abhorrent, inexcusable and indefensible. From 1994 to 2016 there have been 12 allegations of abuse against him.
“He has caused hurt, which in some cases may never be healed. He has devastated families, including his own, and his former colleagues also feel betrayed by his behaviour.”
Solicitor Claire Mckeegan of KRW Law, which represents a number of Finnegan’s alleged victims, said she had received calls from numerous further witnesses since a settlement by one of her clients was made public recently.
She added: “The message is clear – victims demand a public inquiry into clerical abuse in Northern Ireland without any further delay. The victims and survivors deserve to speak about the horrific abuse that took place and be heard in a public forum tasked with sufficient powers to get to the truth.
“This case has brought to the surface yet another paedophile priest who was never investigated or exposed by the church or the police.”
The Diocese of Dromore said last month it had settled a number of cases with others ongoing. The settlements made ranged from compensation to an acknowledgement
or counselling.
Following reports I’ve decided to resign with immediate effect BISHOP MCAREAVEY HILLTOWN YESTERDAY