A bishop has apologised to the alleged victims of a deceased parish priest at the Diocese of Down and Connor.
An allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was recently made against Fr Patrick O’Neill, who died in November 2009. The diocese said in a statement on Sunday it accepted the “entirely credible” allegation.
Bishop Alan McGuckian of the Diocese of Down and Connor, said there were three credible allegations of sexual abuse of adults, manipulation and abuse of power made against Fr O’Neill, received by the Diocese in 2003, 2005 and 2006, relating to the 1970s, 1980s and 1990 when he was a parish priest at the diocese. He said that all of these allegations were reported to the PSNI.
He also said that a “similarly credible” allegation of abuse of a minor by Fr O’Neill was made in October 2004.
The bishop said that Fr O’Neill was stepped aside from his ministry in the Parish of Arkeen after the 2004 allegation, to allow a police investigation to take place. A statement was drafted by the diocese at this time but was not issued.
“This statement would have empowered other victims to come forward,” the bishop said.
“This failure to issue a statement has also compounded the hurt endured by his victims and their families. This omission to issue a public statement is a matter of deep regret by the diocese.”
He added: “In December 2005, the Public Prosecution Service directed that there would be no prosecution brought against Fr O’Neill in respect of this earlier allegation. Fr O’Neill remained permanently out of ministry until his death in November 2009.
“In addition to the two allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor mentioned above, there were three credible allegations of sexual abuse of adults, manipulation and abuse of power made against Fr O’Neill received by the Diocese in 2003, 2005 and 2006.
“These allegations relate to the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s when Fr O’Neill was ministering in Down and Connor. All of these allegations in relation to adults were reported to the PSNI.”
The bishop said the diocese would help support people “who have been abused by Fr O’Neill” and their families “who have been so anguished by the abuse of their loved ones”.
“On behalf of the Diocese of Down and Connor, I extend my deepest sorrow and unreserved apology to all those who have courageously come forward and to each of their families. I fully accept that no apology can undo the damage, hurt, trauma and pain that has been caused to the victims and their families.
“I also extend my deepest sorrow and unreserved apology to anyone who suffered abuse at the hands of a priest of the diocese in whom they had placed their trust.
“The diocese encourages anyone who has concerns, suspicions or allegations of abuse to come forward and to report that abuse to the statutory authorities or to the Diocese of Down and Connor Safeguarding Office, on 028 9049 2798.”
English (United States) ·