The news of the death of Eugene Greene has reopened the hurt of those whom he violated, their loving families and communities across the Diocese of Raphoe. On behalf of the diocese I wish to express my profound sorrow and shame at the abuse which he perpetrated on innocent children.
On 26 February 2019 An Garda Síochána informed the diocese that Eugene Greene died last November in Cork. Until that contact from the Gardaí, the diocese was not aware of his death. Since he left prison in 2008 the diocese has not known his whereabouts. Greene was dismissed from the clerical state in November 2004.
Once the diocese was made aware of Greene’s death, we immediately advised Tusla, the child and family agency, of this information.
While at all times honouring the wish of those survivors who may not want to be contacted by the Church, I wish to offer my support and invitation to meet with anyone who has suffered abuse.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ is Bishop of Raphoe.
- Support provided by the Catholic Church in Ireland for victims and survivors of abuse:
– The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland;
– Towards Healing; and,
– Towards Peace.
These agencies constitute the pastoral response and support services to survivors who suffered child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in Ireland. Please see further details below:
The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland provides advice on all aspects of case management, including notification of allegations and support for the complainant. Its chief executive is Ms Teresa Devlin. If you are concerned about a child or young person or wish to report a child safeguarding suspicion, concern, knowledge or allegation you should contact the statutory authorities. As the Catholic Church in Ireland has a mandatory reporting policy you can also contact the NBSCCCI by:
– Telephone 00 353 (1) 505 3124
Towards Healing Counselling & Support Services is available to survivors of Church, Religious and Institutional abuse. The Towards Healing director is Mr Michael Lyons and the service provides lay independent and fully accredited counsellors to support survivors. Towards Healing may be contacted by:
– Freephone (UK & NI) 0800 096 3315 or (RoI) 1800 303 416
– Mobile number for Hearing Impaired Clients +353 (0) 85-8022859
– towardshealing.ie
Towards Peace is a service offering spiritual support to survivors of physical, emotional or sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic Church personnel in Ireland. Support is also available for family members of abuse survivors. The vision of Towards Peace is to provide a safe supportive space, where people who have been affected by abuse in a Church context can be accompanied as they seek their own experience of spiritual peace, one step at a time. Towards Peace provides spiritual support through one-to-one spiritual direction sessions, with a qualified spiritual companion. Up to twelve sessions are offered and there is no cost. The director of Towards Peace is Ms Una Allen who can be contacted by:
– Telephone: + 353 (0) 1 5053028 and on +353 (0) 86 7710533
– towardspeace.ie
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm 00353 (0) 87 310 4444.
