Bishop was dealt 'great injustice'

A 'great injustice' has been done to Bishop Eamonn Walsh, and his work to change the situation in the church relating to the child abuse scandal has been 'airbrushed' out, according to Fr Michael Murphy, parish priest of Kilcullen.

In what he emphasised as a personal view of the bishop's resignation, news of which was revealed on Christmas Eve, Fr Murphy said a great wrong had been done to those abused, but he believed a great wrong had also been done to Bishop Walsh, who has been involved in the running of the Diocese since his appointment as auxiliary bishop in 1990.

"Two wrongs do not make a right," he said in a homily at mass this weekend, delivered with visible emotion, adding that he himself had endured a 'very sad Christmas' following the news of the resignation.

Fr Murphy posed the question had Bishop Walsh 'done anything wrong?' "My own view is that reports in the media gave the impression that he had, and this undermined his integrity. No one can continue to function in such a situation."

He added that Bishop Walsh had done much to change the situation in relation to the whole abuse scandal, including chairing the Irish Bishops Committee on Child Protection. He also noted the bishop's work in the Diocese of Ferns, where he was Apostolic Administrator for four years from April 2002, while abuse was being investigated there.

The last function in Kilcullen at which the bishop officiated was the Chruinniu Chriost in June, but he has been a regular participant at other meetings in Kilcullen relating to pastoral issues.

Fr Murphy asked what purpose does it serve by not having Bishop Walsh officiating at the forthcoming Confirmations, or at the next Cruinniu Chriost? "A great injustice has been commited against him, and I would be failing in my duty if I didn't speak out," he said. "I have invited Bishop Eamonn to speak at the 11 o'clock mass on Sunday 7 February, where he will explain why he will not be attending the Confirmations. He will also be happy to meet and talk to any parishioners who want to do so."

Fr Murphy said that Bishop Walsh will be working to restore his good name.

A letter from Bishop Walsh sent to the priests of the Diocese before Christmas was circulated at the masses, with the bishop's permission. It reiterates his 'disgust and horror' at the appalling sexual abuse by priests serving in the Dublin Archdiocese. It also outlines his work in the Archdiocese since he became secretary to Bishop McNamara in 1985, and notes that from the time he was appointed bishop, he advocated mandatory reporting of complaints for child sexual abuse.

The letter includes an observation that 'poor communication' in relation to the whole issue led to 'long-term disastrous consequences'.

Written prior to the bishop's resignation, the letter takes on the issue of 'guilt by association'. "However, guilt by association only arises when someone is complicit in a decision or action, or is silent when to speak would have made a difference. Present in a room or proximity to a decision-maker of itself is not guilt by association. If anyone attributes such guilt to me, he or she does so without foundation, and against the findings of the Dublin Report."

Brian Byrne.