Archbishop describes scale of abuse by priests as "staggering"
Friday, 28 November 2008
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Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has described the scale of abuse by priests of the Dublin Diocese as "staggering".
In a letter to priests Dr Martin says at least 400 men and women have suffered trauma as a result of having been sexually abused by a priest working in the diocese of Dublin.
This letter - seen by the Irish Catholic newspaper - was sent by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin to priests in the Dublin diocese.
In it Dr Martin says that the fact 400 people have been abused by Dublin priests is staggering and the figure is most certainly not final.
Dr Martin writes "we as priests are extremely upset and offended by what has happened through the actions of some".
The archbishop is to host a number of meetings early next month to prepare priests for the fallout from the report of the Dublin Inquiry into abuse in the diocese, which is due to finish its work at the end of January.
