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Survey finds Irish public exaggerates incidence of abuse

November 02, 2011

The Irish public has a grossly exaggerated impression of the scope of sexual abuse by Catholic priests, a new survey has discovered.

The Iona Institute poll found that 70% of the Irish public overestimate the number of priests accused of abuse. The actual figure is 4%, but more than two-fifths of the respondents guessed that it was over 20%, and more than one-quarter said that it was above 40%.

 


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  • Posted by: wsw33410 - Nov. 03, 2011 3:12 PM ET USA

    We do pray for our priests and we will ... however, it is time for them to change their ways of: life (more humility, poverty and obedience), thinking (along with Magisterium) and acting (humbly and with self-respect)....

  • Posted by: Erik George - Nov. 02, 2011 7:29 PM ET USA

    4% is still too high. By a couple of orders of magnitude.

  • Posted by: rpp - Nov. 02, 2011 7:11 PM ET USA

    Yep, that is the lamestream media at work. I am sure they consider that a great success. I would not be surprised if a similar poll came up with similar results in the USA. Very sad. We must redouble our efforts to pray for our priests.