Statement of Archbishop Dermot Clifford regarding Mgr Maurice Dooley

18 Mar 2010

PRESS RELEASE
18 March 2010

Statement of Archbishop Dermot Clifford regarding Mgr Maurice Dooley

The views expressed in the media in recent days by Mgr Maurice Dooley, a priest of Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly, with regard to the reporting of safeguarding concerns to the appropriate State authorities are his own personal views. As his bishop and on behalf of the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, I want to state that all concerns that come to light are reported fully and without delay to the State authorities. I want to give that assurance to all who may have heard Monsignor Dooley’s remarks.  Such views do not represent the policy or the practice of the Catholic Church in Ireland today concerning the reporting of allegations of abuse to the civil authorities, North and South.  The policy and practice of this diocese, and every diocese, is to report all allegations to the statutory authorities.  As a consequence, I have spoken to Monsignor Dooley today and he assures me that he will not be speaking again in this controversy. I regret the distress, anger, and confusion that Mgr Dooley’s remarks have caused in recent days to all concerned.

Archbishop Dermot Clifford is Archbishop of Cashel & Emly and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Cloyne

Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678