Church rocked by new 'abuse' scandal
THE Catholic Church has been rocked by another scandal regarding alleged child abuse.
According to reports, The Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, was involved in a compensation deal to prevent the disclosure of the alleged abuse of an eight-year-old girl.
Dr Hegarty's name is among that of three priests named in a civil settlement, according to a Belfast newspaper.
The alleged abuse took place over a ten-year period from the late 1970s.
The latest revelation comes as the leader of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Sean Brady, remains under intense pressure regarding his own position.
As a priest in 1975 Cardinal Brady was at meetings where children signed vows of silence over complaints against paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth.
Speaking on St Patrick's Day, he said he wanted to apologise to "all those who feel I have let them down".
Cardinal Brady said: "This week a painful episode from my own past has come before me.
"I have listened to reaction from people to my role in events 35 years ago.
"I want to say to anyone who has been hurt by any failure on my part that I apologise to you with all my heart.
"I also apologise to all those who feel I have let them down.
"Looking back I am ashamed that I have not always upheld the values that I profess and believe in."
Meanwhile, Pope Benedict XVI Benedict has announced that on Friday he will sign his long awaited pastoral letter dealing with paedophilia in Ireland.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
