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Bishop Hegarty fails to give answers as Catholic Church faces ‘tsunami’
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Dr Seamus Hegarty's media spokesman has confirmed to the Belfast Telegraph that the bishop has received the questions
enlargeA prominent former Catholic priest has urged the church in Derry to take “radical action” to restore public faith following revelations that a priest in the diocese paid £12,000 in a secret deal with a victim of abuse.
Denis Bradley has also said that the current “tsunami” facing the church has caught up with Bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty, who knew about the out-of-court settlement.
Mr Bradley said he was “sickened” when he learnt of the allegations against Fr John McCullagh.
The Belfast Telegraph submitted a series of questions to Dr Hegarty earlier this week about his handling of the allegations against disgraced priest Fr McCullagh. So far the Bishop has not responded.
The questions the Belfast Telegraph submitted to the Bishop of Derry are:
- Has Bishop Hegarty addressed the faithful in any parish to explain his handling of the allegations against Fr J McCullagh since the story was revealed in the Belfast Telegraph?
- Did Bishop Hegarty tell the faithful, the priests or religious in Strabane about the allegations against Fr J McCullagh before he moved him into their parish?
- Does Fr J McCullagh continue to receive a stipend or any money from diocesan funds?
- Did Fr J McCullagh continue to say mass at the Convent of Mercy in Strabane after Bishop Hegarty banned him from saying public mass?
Dr Hegarty’s media spokesman Fr Michael Canny confirmed to this paper that the bishop had received the questions.
He said: “I have printed out the questions you sent and have placed them on the bishop’s desk. I can do no more.”
Denis Bradley, also a former vice-chairman of the Policing Board, said: “The church is facing a tsunami and Bishop Hegarty is caught up in that tsunami and there are only two positions to take.
“One, is that all bishops appointed before a certain date should resign and the other is for them to come up with some sort of model or forum which allows the laity, at least for some time, to address this tsunami.”
He added: “I am not yet convinced that the Vatican knows the extent of the damage that has been done and that needs to be addressed.
“All bishops have to ask questions that go beyond their own wellbeing and natural defensiveness. There needs to be radical action to address this that will give healing to the victims.
“The real moral authority now lies with the laity.”
He added: “What has sickened and saddened me most is that no one thought to tell us that Fr McCullagh had this cloud over him.”
“Now, I don’t know if he is guilty or not but we had the right to look out for our children, make sure they were safe and not in danger.
“That was the least the bishop owed us. Did he not think he had a duty of care to the children of Strabane, did they not matter?”
Parish priest Fr Declan Boland has also revealed that he “had been kept in the dark” about the serious nature of the allegations against Fr McCullagh.
Fr McCullagh is no longer living at the Barrack Street address, however his current whereabouts remain a mystery.
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bishop hegarty should step down and do everyone a favour. in my and many other people's opinion he's never come across as being a man of faith - more rude and obnoxious - time for change time for him to go!
Posted by mark | 31.03.10, 14:26 GMT
The extent of abuse of privilege within this organisation is stunning. More startling is the extent of coverup and "brand protection" clearly agreed to or initiated by the heirarchy. Google "broken rites australia" to see the history of abuse in the Australian. Archbishop Pell even gets a meantion.
Greatest damage is being done to the wellbeing of Christianity, already under pressure as irrevalent and now shown as in part a refuge for evil people.
It appears the Church will struggle all the way in self preservation. Perhaps it should be left to die while accomodating the needs of the very old and the totally brainwashed.
Posted by jonno | 29.03.10, 04:18 GMT
This is part of the reason why many people are leaving the catholic church. This was prophesied by Christ, himself. It makes one really question the church about what else we have not been told. It's Ireland's disgrase, just as, here in America, as we have gone through the periodic revelations of the abuses that have gone on here. May God help us, and protect the children.
Posted by KevinSO | 28.03.10, 20:41 GMT
When are we going to see some clear and decisive action from the law of the land (be it in Northern Ireland or the Irish Republic)?
Reading these reports, all I can see is reference to what this cardinal said about that bishop or priest etc. What I want to see is the law being enforced. As far as I know, sexually molesting children is against the law and you can go to jail for it!
If these people worked for some big name such as BMW or Sony, their offices would be raided and materials taken away as evidence. Are these people abouve the law just because they are in a CHURCH?
Posted by Centaur | 27.03.10, 20:53 GMT
How many sacraments have been invalidated by these priests??
How can they have been performing any of these with the right state of mind when engaged in these crimes against children?? How many confesions did these men listen to and send people away believing they were forgiven when they were comitting these acts?
Has the Telegraph or anyone else asked for an explanation of this?
Posted by ColinR | 27.03.10, 20:07 GMT
Do as I say, not as I do - by their deeds shall ye know them
Posted by seamus | 27.03.10, 19:22 GMT
It is too late for the catholic church to get out of this one. The damage is done. They have shown themselves up as power hungry scumbags who will do whatever it takes to protect themselves, at the expense of the little children it was supposed to protect.
I've given up on religion, life is too short.
Posted by I am leaving religion behind. | 27.03.10, 11:26 GMT
Again I ask the question, where did the money come from to pay the victim of abuse? If this was paid by the Priest, where did he get the finance to do so? Or if by the Church then why were the Congregations not made aware of this?
Posted by Elizabeth | 27.03.10, 05:52 GMT