Ireland: 325 Christian Brothers accused of abuse since 1975

December 11, 2013

The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church, a body established in 2006 by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Conference of Religious of Ireland, and the Irish Missionary Union, has released reports on the response to child sexual abuse by six Irish dioceses, the Christian Brothers, and St. Patrick’s Missionary Society.

The board found that since 2008, “steady progress” has been made in “reporting allegations to the civil authorities.”

Since 1975, according to the reports, 870 abuse allegations have been made against 325 Christian Brothers, with 12 convicted. The figure “includes allegations that did not necessarily result in a criminal or canonical investigation, or a civil action, and allegations that are unsubstantiated but which are plausible.”

“Of the 325 Brothers against whom there were allegations, 50 are alive and continue to live as part of the European Province of Christian Brothers,” according to the board.

The board also found that since 1975, 36 abuse allegations have been made against 16 priests of the Archdiocese of Armagh, with one convicted; 19 allegations have been made against 13 priests of the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, with none convicted; 15 allegations have been made against 11 priests of the Diocese of Achonry, with none convicted; 59 allegations have been made against 42 priests of the Diocese of Down and Connor, with three convicted; 67 allegations have been made against 21 priests of the Diocese of Kerry, with one convicted; and 27 allegations have been made against 14 priests of the Diocese of Ossory, with two convicted.

In addition, the board found that 50 allegations have been made against 14 priests and religious of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan Fathers), with one convicted.

 

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Further information:

• Press Statement from the NBSCCCI (National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church)
• Safeguarding Review Reports – 4th Tranche (NBSCCCI)
• Church child protection reports: 870 allegations of child abuse made against 325 Christian Brothers (Irish Times)
• Irish Catholic watchdog issues child abuse report (AP)