The Bishop of Killaloe has apologised for the breaches of trust that occurred in relation to abuse of children in his own diocese.
Dr Willie Walsh described the crimes as an appalling betrayal of the precious trust traditionally given to priests and added that structures have been put in place to ensure that as far as humanly possible, such breach of trust will never occur in the future.
In a statement read out at all masses in the Diocese yesterday Bishop Willie Walsh and all priests in the diocese expressed their own deep sadness and shame.
It comes after the revelations in the Murphy report into widespread clerical child abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese
Archbishop Kevin McNamara, who the report found handled child abuse complaints badly during his 1985-87 tenure in Dublin, is a Co Clare native.
Bishop Walsh said the failure of church authorities to respond in an appropriate manner not only compounded the suffering of victims but also allowed the abuse to continue.
Dr Walsh added that he was committed to faithfully implementing the guidelines of State and church for the safeguarding of children and added that any victim who wished to speak out will be listened to with kindness and respect.
Last year, Dr Walsh confirmed that from 2003-2007, his own diocese paid out more than €1.4 million to victims of clerical sex abuse.
The abuse predated Dr Walsh’s appointment as Bishop of Killaloe in 1995.
